When someone is newly diagnosed with prostate cancer, the decisions ahead can feel overwhelming.
I was diagnosed with Gleason 7 prostate cancer at age 50. In the time since, I have had surgery, radiotherapy and hormone treatments. I very much needed to talk to others in a similar situation when I found out I had prostate cancer, and benefited hugely from going to the LGBT+ Walnut support group. I run the West Suffolk Prostate Cancer Support Group.
I was diagnosed at 58 with a PSA of just 2.2nm/mL and no symptoms or family history. They thought I had a T2 Gleason 3+4 prostate cancer, and I was left, like so many men, with local prostate cancer of deciding whether to have surgery or hormone and radiation treatment. Not really understanding what difference that decision would make to the rest of my life. I opted for surgery and, seven years on, I’m happy that that was the right decision for me. But I made that decision “uninformed”, I had lots to read and the support group I joined was very supportive with a wide range of experiences to share. I’ve joined this project to be that person for someone else who finds themselves in the position I was, so they can make the right decision by being informed rather than by luck.
My husband Paul was diagnosed with prostate cancer in October 2022. After undergoing a radical prostatectomy in February 2023 and radiotherapy in November 2023, he’s thankfully doing well now.
Seeking support, I joined our local prostate cancer support group. This provided invaluable insight and led me to set up a partner group within the Worcestershire group. I later became a committee member and eventually the chair.
I’m passionate about supporting other partners, inspired by the support I received. I’ve become a buddy with Tackle and Movember, aiming to offer the same support I’ve received. Having someone to talk to during this difficult time has been invaluable.
As an ex-haematologist and pharma industry executive I have always been on top of health complaints. When my father was diagnosed with PCa (incidental finding at the age of 75) I decided to have an annual PSA test – constantly concerned that as the father of 3 young men, I needed to have a handle on this. Fortunately, my GP was supportive, and I had an annual test from my late 40s onwards – where the result was always normal result. In 2022, during lockdown I had no real symptoms other than urinary urge – when investigated by PSA was 3.2nm/mL – below the NHS guidelines to trigger any reflex testing. However, this was a 30% jump from my previous test result and with a family history I was fast tracked for investigations.
Phil Goodall, 65, married 37 years, living in Worcester. Diagnosed in 2019 and treated by Prostatectomy, followed by two rounds of SABR treatment over the next couple of years, treating individual lymph nodes. A wider spread to lymph nodes meant I was declared stage 4 in 2022. I was treated with Triplet Therapy (Chemotherapy with ADT and API hormone therapy) and currently stable. I joined Worcestershire PCSG in April 2024 and was invited to join the group’s committee 12 months later. I am also a member of the Living Well with APC group. I try to stay fit with a mix of weight training, running, Tennis and walking.
I wanted to become a peer coach because I wanted to use my lived experience to help newly diagnosed men and those around them to make sense of the situation they are in and help them understand the information they are being given and to make choices that they are comfortable with.
I was diagnosed in September 2021 and was faced with having to make a decision about my treatment, whilst still coping with the emotional fallout from receiving the diagnosis. The pack of literature I was given seemed overwhelming at first. What helped me was having a close friend who had been diagnosed the month before me, with whom I could talk and discuss my options. Trawling through haphazard websites didn’t help too much. I eventually chose the surgery route, a decision I feel was the right one for me.
Having a Buddy – a peer coach – a fellow traveller on the treatment pathway – is vital in order to make sense of a diagnosis. Being signposted to the most helpful and the most accurate sources of information gives some control back within a process which can be tricky to negotiate. And personal contact with someone who has ‘been there’, can be the key to making the right decision for you.
I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 2015 and opted to have a Prostatectomy . Three years later I had Salvage Radiotherapy with Hormone treatment. Two years ago I had SABR to treat a lesion in my lung found to be prostate cancer that had spread. I am currently well. The Support Group has been really very beneficial for me in terms of the shared experience as well as the support and information available. Regrettably there was no such thing during the period I was making initial decisions about my treatment.
If you’ve been through prostate cancer and want to help others navigate it with confidence, become a Treatment Decision Buddy. Email us below with a short message about your experience and why you’re interested.
A DBS check or equivalent is required for this volunteer role.
Have another query? A member of our team are always here to help you and your loved ones with any questions you have regarding your prostate cancer.
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