Ferndown granddad recovers from ‘silent killer’ of prostate cancer

5:00pm Friday 20th January 2012 in

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IT’S known as the silent killer.

So when granddad William Watson, from Ferndown, was diagnosed with prostate cancer, his family were understandably worried.

the retired machine tool worker, now 73, had had no symptoms when doctors picked up the disease back in September 2005.

currently in remission, Mr Watson still remembers the shock of those first scary days.

the dad of three, who was being treated for a skin problem at the time, said: “I didn’t know I had anything wrong with me.

“It was a complete shock.”

he was immediately put on a course of hormone injections, before starting 30 days of radiotherapy.

“My wife June was wonderful,” Mr Watson said. “She used to come to every appointment with me.

“The radiotherapy doesn’t bother you too much in the beginning, but after three weeks it’s not very pleasant at all.”

After more hormone treatment, the cancer was in remission. he still needs to go for six-monthly blood tests to check it’s kept at bay.

Daughter Lisa Goddard is shocked by statistics that although 37,000 men in the UK are diagnosed every year, nine out of 10 adults don’t know what a prostate gland is.

Wimborne resident Lisa, 38, said: “Up until he retired he’d never missed a day’s work, was very fit and well and played golf four times a week.

“Although you hear it’s a common cancer, you never expect anyone close to you to get it.

“I now believe every man over 40 should be checked, because if it’s caughtearly enough it can be cured. I just feel like compared to breast cancer awareness it is not really out there.”

Mrs Goddard, who works at Bournemouth and Poole College, is holding a Viva Las Vegas men’s charity night at AFC Bournemouth on Saturday, February 25, to raise ‘as much as possible’ for the Prostate Cancer Charity.

Hosted by fire Radio DJs, it will feature casino tables, VIP men’s area and an auction. Tickets are £20. Table sponsors and prize donations are needed.

call Lisa on 07853 054236 to book or support the event.

Keep an eye out for symptoms

MOST prostate cancer is slow growing to start with and may never cause any symptoms or problems.

however, some men will have cancer that is more aggressive or ‘high risk’, and needs treatment to help prevent or delay it spreading outside the prostate gland. If a man does have symptoms, such as problems passing urine, they may be mild and happen over many years.

for some the first noticeable symptoms are from prostate cancer that has spread to their bones, causing pain in the back, hips or pelvis. Visit your GP for a check up or go to prostate-cancer.org.uk for details.