Llangollen man urges men to get tested for prostate cancer

A Llangollen man diagnosed with prostate cancer at just 57 is urging men to get tested for the illness.

Gareth Edwards was told he had prostate cancer in 2019 after being referred for a biopsy and MRI Scan.

He had suffered with prostatitis for ten years which means there was inflammation of the prostate gland, causing him discomfort. But the now retired farmer then noticed other symptoms:

“I was struggling to pee so I went to the GP who had a bit of a look and he referred me,” explained Gareth.

“I had an MRI and it was confirmed that I did have prostate cancer but I had a biopsy to be sure.

“The consultant was happy to keep me on what’s called “actively surveillance.”

“But my PSA score – which shows the levels of prostate specific antigen in the blood – was going up and up.

“So I started hormone therapy in 2021 and I had follow up radiotherapy that same year.”

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer for men in the UK, with around 48,600 diagnosed each year. However it is highly treatable with early diagnosis and treatment.

Gareth is now on a mission to spread the word to others and is encouraging more men to get tested as Prostate Cymru celebrates its 20th anniversary.

And last week, Welsh artist and charity ambassador Nathan Wyburn unveiled a bespoke piece of artwork to mark the milestone.

The piece – which was revealed at National Museum Wales Cardiff last Friday – is designed to celebrate the charity’s 20-year history, raise awareness and to reinforce the message that it is not an “old man’s disease”.

Made up of small images, sent in by those who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, those working on the frontline to improve services for men in Wales and those who have raised vital funds, the artwork highlights the risk of developing prostate cancer rises rapidly after the age of 50.

“The trouble with prostate cancer is that there aren’t usually any symptoms when its in its early stages,” said Gareth.

“So if you turn 50, go and get tested. Just ask your GP to be checked out because it’s something that can become aggressive.

“I follow people on Twitter who unfortunately left it too late and it was already stage 4 – which means it’s metastatic and has spread out of the prostate.

“If they’d gone to the doctor two or three years earlier, it would probably have been a very different story because it is highly treatable in its early stages.

“But we still have this problem that men – particularly perhaps in the farming community – don’t talk about their health and things that are worrying them.”

Tina Tew, CEO of Prostate Cymru, said: “Prostate cancer is still the most common cancer in men in Wales with one in eight men developing it.

“And there is still this misconception that this disease only affects old men and it simply isn’t the case.

“We need more men to understand their risk and get themselves tested, particularly as prostate cancer doesn’t usually show any symptoms in its early stages.

“If you’re at higher risk, which includes all men over the age of 50, we urge you to speak to your GP and get tested.”