Brian, 61 – father of four working as a London Underground train driver
Black London Underground driver with a lived experience of prostate cancer was told by his doctor that he was “more likely to be hit by a bus” than to receive a prostate cancer diagnosis.
- No symptoms noticed: He didn’t think anything of frequently getting up in the night to urinate, putting it down to drinking water late in the evening
- Incontrollable urges to pee: As time went on, frequent urination progressed into sudden uncontrollable urge to pee, which he had to manage while driving London Underground trains
- Had a PSA blood test: In 2016, a PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test revealed elevated PSA levels. Elevated PSA levels is a potential sign of prostate cancer. He was offered a biopsy to further test this, but he declined it due to the risk of infection
- “More likely to be hit by a bus”: Declining the biopsy wasn’t a cause for concern – a doctor told him that he was more likely to be hit by a bus than for the cancer to grow and spread
- Returning with his partner’s support: Encouraged by the support of his partner in 2020, he got his PSA levels re-tested with his GP. The PSA blood test showed that his PSA levels had increased further
- Prostate removal via robotic surgery: Brian explored treatment options after a biopsy confirmed prostate cancer. He opted for surgery to remove his prostate over radiation therapy – to significantly reduce the chances of prostate cancer in future
- Living proof: Bar his partner, Brian chose not to share his diagnosis with his family until the surgery was scheduled. He didn’t tell his wider network about his battle with prostate cancer until he had recovered from his surgery. He was met with the sentiment that prostate cancer was a death sentence, but Brian is living proof this doesn’t have to be the end result
- An advocate for change: Through his experiences, Brian has become an advocate for awareness of prostate cancer and the disparities in Black men. He is always keen to speak with others on the ease of the PSA blood test, misconceptions around the digital rectal examination (DRE) and erectile dysfunction from surgery, and the multiple benefits of getting tested early regardless of the presence of symptoms
Joe, 53 – World record-holding Masters athlete and father of two
Successful Team GB Masters athlete received a life-saving prostate cancer diagnosis after being prompted by a friend to get tested despite showing no symptoms. Recently set world records in hurdles after recovery from treatment.
- Saved by a friend: A friend called to tell Joe that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 50. Previously unaware of the threat prostate cancer posed at this age, his friend insisted Joe get tested
- Risk despite no symptoms: Despite showing no symptoms of prostate cancer, further research led to him learning of the increased risk Black men face and then making an appointment with his GP
- Pushing for a test: Aware of his rights to get a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, he convinced his GP to carry out a PSA blood test, which revealed highly elevated PSA levels
- Diagnosed despite peak health: Despite being a world class athlete and feeling healthy, a biopsy led to a prostate cancer diagnosis. Joe and his family were left in complete shock
- Race against time: After receiving his diagnosis, he was scheduled for robotic surgery to remove his prostate in four months’ time. He pushed to bring this forward and successfully underwent surgery two months earlier, by which point his cancer had progressed from stage II to III
- World records: His drive led him back to training after surgery, slowly increasing his fitness routine during his recovery. Joe went on to break world records in hurdling in successive years
- An advocate for the community: After being saved by an early diagnosis, Joe is now an advocate for prostate cancer awareness. He is spreading the message of Black men’s rights to ask for PSA blood testing and the increased risk that prostate cancer poses to Black men