“I was healthy and had no symptoms, but seeing TV’s Bill Turnbull discussing prostate cancer, plus a big nudge from my wife, prompted me to get tested. Thank God I did: I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, was successfully treated and I am again living life to the full.”
Altrincham’s Alan Roebuck adds he is “keen to inspire others to get a check-up, even if they feel fine” with official figures showing that one in eight men get prostate cancer in their lifetime. Prostate Cancer UK reports those over 45, or black, or have a father or brother with prostate cancer, are at an even higher risk.*
Dr Amal Hashim of Park Medical Practice in Timperley, part of Altrincham Healthcare Alliance PCN which includes Altrincham Medical Practice, Shay Lane Medical Centre (Drs Cranston, Haslam and Connell), St Johns Medical Centre and West Timperley Medical Centre, is urging patients – especially those in high-risk groups – to contact their GP if they’re worried, whether or not they have symptoms.
Dr Hashim explained: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and while not always life-threatening, the earlier it’s caught, the higher the chance of successful treatment. We’re urging patients to contact their GP for an initial consultation. It could save your life.”
Ahead of next month’s Movember fund-raising and drive to increase awareness of men’s health issues – Dr Hashim highlighted prostate cancer symptoms:
- an increased need to urinate, especially at night
- straining while you pee
- a weak flow when urinating
- a feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied
She added: “While most men with early prostate cancer don’t have any symptoms, in the UK about 48,600 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. The message is simple: please contact your GP for a health check now.”
Alan Roebuck, 75, explained: “I’d no idea anything was wrong. I was fit, healthy and enjoying retirement: it seemed a bit silly to bother the GP. But I’m glad I listened to my wife, Marilyn, who urged me to ‘just make sure all’s well’ after we heard Bill Turnbull’s experience.”
Alan had a simple blood test which measures the amount of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood and he was referred to The Christie. He said: “I felt absolutely fine before and during the treatment. While the diagnosis was a bit of a shock, the cancer was caught early so I felt very positive that all would be well. And it is.”
Having undergone radiotherapy treatment Alan says: “There’s been no trace of the cancer since 2020. I’ve a bit of incontinence but that’s a small price to pay. I’m enjoying family life, cruises, gardening and truly appreciate being alive!”
The father of two, and grandfather of two, added: “While celebrity power really helps increase awareness of cancers, I’m just a normal bloke who hopes to inspire someone else to get a check-up. And if that potentially saves a life, it would be wonderful. You can go through life thinking you’re invincible but you could be sitting on a time-bomb. See your GP for peace of mind: it could be a life-saver.”
Prostate Cancer UK’s 30 second risk checker aims to help people understand their risk of prostate cancer.
- Pictured: Alan Roebuck and his wife, Marilyn
- *Figures from Prostate Cancer UK https://prostatecanceruk.org/
- For further information please see https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/
