When it comes to prostate cancer, a simple blood test could save your life, writes Peter Rowe FCIOB.
I first worked on a construction site as an operative some 45 years ago, with ongoing development to become a bricklayer.
In the early nineties, I retrained and moved into the professional side of the industry as a building surveyor, then 15 years ago I became a director of a small multidisciplinary construction consultancy.
I have moved through the ranks and understand what it is like to be stuck in the mud and then stuck in the office.
Last year, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and as a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), I feel it is important to get the message out in support of PSA testing within the industry.
So, what happened? I had never really noticed any of the symptoms you will commonly read about, such as problems going to the loo – other than after a night out, for example, which I had simply put down to dehydration.
However, one weekend after a friend’s 60th birthday bash, my “dehydration” got so bad that I had to go to A&E the next day. Over the following weeks, it was confirmed that I had an enlarged prostate, which seemed relatively straightforward to deal with in the scheme of things.
However, after a few weeks of further tests and scans, I was then diagnosed with prostate cancer and given the choice of treatment or surgery.
Because of the findings of the biopsy, I chose radical surgery, which can require up to a year for full recovery. I will need ongoing PSA blood tests to check that no cancerous cells were left behind.
The importance of early detection
It is quite clear to me now that had I thought about what was happening to me and found the time to go to my doctor and ask for a PSA test, surgery may have been avoided.
What I did find out during the many months of waiting for tests was that if there are work constraints on booking via the NHS – for example, trying to get a doctor’s appointment – then you can schedule a PSA test privately. I did this early on in the process for around £60. The appointment was scheduled for late afternoon, so did not have much of an impact on work.
Before Christmas I bumped into an old friend who, unbeknownst to me, had also received late diagnosis of prostate cancer. I count myself lucky because, along with the common side effects of his chemotherapy, he is also having to use a mobility scooter to get around.
Given what happened, I should mention the impact on others. It has been particularly stressful for my family and those at work who had to cover for me when I was attending tests, when I was in hospital, when I was in initial recovery, and not being able to drive post-operation for several weeks – the list goes on.
So, please take a PSA test for both your sake and the people in your life. It is a simple blood test, it’s not embarrassing and could save your life.
Peter Rowe FCIOB is managing director of PHPS.
Thanks, Peter, for your advice, you never know how many lives you have just saved.
Once you are in your 50s, it’s advisable to have an annual health check and this will usually include a PSA test. After several years of annual normal test results, two years ago, the results were elevated requiring further investigation including MRI and biopsy, which confirmed Prostate cancer.
As it hadn’t spread, and on medical advice, I chose the surgery route which was successful.
I was walking around the hospital corridors later that day, was discharged the day after and have a review every 6 months with up to date PSA test results.
The essential lesson is an annual health check, and especially if you have any symtoms such as going to the toilet in the middle of the night. I didn’t pay attention to that issue but luckily I had the annual health check up as back -up.
Great advice from Mr. Rowe, with which I completely concur. I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Prostate Cancer, back in August 2024, at the age of 62, and chose Radical Robotic Surgery, carried out at University Hospital Wales, Cardiff, to remove the offending gland. I had no obvious symptoms to suggest cancer, other than, about 9 months prior to diagnosis, I found that, on occasion, when I needed to urinate I “really” had to go, there and then!! I visited my GP with these symptoms and, only ‘as a precaution’, they checked my prostate, in the time honoured way, and carried out a PSA Blood Test. The PSA score was 8.7; which led on to an MRI scan; which confirmed the likely hood of cancer; and a biopsy which ultimately confirmed the presence; and so on to surgery. My mother died from breast cancer, and my sister is in remission from both breast and kidney cancer. I have been told that maternal breast cancer can be associated with Prostate Cancer, and I am due to attend at the All Wales Medical Genomics Service, Cardiff, in the coming weeks, to assist in their research toward genetic links, in this area. So, lads, please take up Mr. Rowe’s advice and insist that your medical professional arranges a PSA test, on your behalf. They may say your a low risk, but is any risk worth taking if it ends with your life.
Many thanks for sharing your story Peter – not always easy – but really important in encouraging colleagues to take action and potentially avoid the surgery and its associated challenges.
Peter, thanks so much for sharing. I lost my father and my uncle to prostrate cancer and have seen colleagues at work sadly taken, sometimes at quite young ages.
In the absence of a national screening programme the message is simple – get yourself regularly tested…
And to those of you leading business – if you don’t already do it , and many do, please consider instigating testing as an employee benefit