'Please go and get checked' urges cancer survivor

Two Channel Islands men have spoken about their experiences with prostate cancer to encourage men to get tested early.

Neil Laffoley and Ian Brown spoke as Guernsey and Jersey's health service considers the findings of a review of NHS advice on testing for prostate cancer.

Mr Brown, the honorary patron of Male Uprising Guernsey, which aims to increase awareness of male cancers, urged men to "please go and get checked" if they have symptoms.

It follows calls from 48-year-old Olympian Sir Chris Hoy for more young men to be checked, after he revealed he had advanced cancer that had spread to his bones and was terminal.

In 2016, Mr Brown experienced minor health issues that led him to visit his doctor.

Initially, his symptoms, which included urinary problems, did not raise significant concerns.

Despite normal PSA test results, which test blood for signs of prostate cancer, an MRI scan revealed stage three advanced prostate cancer.

Fortunately, his cancer was treatable and has since been managed successfully.

"Please go and get checked," Mr Brown said.

"It's a big thing, being told you've got cancer. I think I was fairly dumbfounded by it, really.

"One in eight men are going to get prostate cancer, so they walk among us, maybe not knowing, maybe waiting to find out, maybe accidentally finding out, and then, then it's too late."

The common symptoms are:

• needing to urinate more frequently - particularly at night
• difficulty starting to urinate, weak flow and it taking a long time
• blood in urine or semen

These symptoms can be caused by other conditions too, but it is important to have any changes checked by a doctor.

In the summer of 2023, Neil Laffoley, 58, from Jersey, changed GPs and as part of the new patient process his surgery conducted routine blood tests.

The results showed a slightly elevated PSA level, prompting further investigation.

After undergoing examinations, an MRI scan, and a biopsy, Mr Laffoley was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January 2024.

He acknowledged his diagnosis could have been missed if he had not changed surgeries.

He had been experiencing common symptoms of prostate issues but dismissed them as minor.

"If something doesn't feel normal, just go and have a blood test," Mr Laffoley advised.

He emphasised the test was quick, inexpensive, and crucial for early detection.

Mr Laffoley underwent surgery to remove his prostate in June.

While recovery has been slow, he said he was gradually getting back to normal activities.

Regular checks every four months ensure any recurrence is caught early.

"I'm fine at the moment," he said. "If something doesn't feel normal, just go and have a blood test.

"It's 20 minutes of your day, just go and have a blood test."

"Anybody, any man who's maybe 45 or over, just have regular blood checks."

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