Cancer test on TV could be lifesaver

9:30am Wednesday 16th November 2011

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DAVE HOGG volunteered to go on the This Morning TV programme yesterday to raise awareness of prostate cancer and save lives.

The decision may end up saving his own.

mr Hogg, 67, was one of 30 Oxfordshire men who appeared on the ITV show for a piece on prostate cancer that involved examining several volunteers.

But the doctor advised mr Hogg that he should make an appointment to see his own GP as soon as possible.

mr Hogg, a retired ambulance driver and grandfather-of-six said: “I went to London with members of the Oxfordshire Prostate Cancer Support Group.

“I have been passing urine more regularly than normal for about a year and have been worried about it. When I heard the group was hoping to encourage more testing by appearing on television, I saw it as a chance to get tested and raise awareness.

“I was apprehensive before the test. then afterwards, the doctor told me that I should make an appointment to see my doctor as soon as possible.

“I feel relieved that I have had the test, but I will feel much more relieved if I have more tests and they tell me there are no problems.”

Prostate cancer kills one man in the UK every hour and between 2007 and 2009, 1,137 new cases were diagnosed in Oxfordshire. The 10-second test can detect the signs of prostate cancer while it is still treatable.

Dave Beesley, 53, from Headington, was one of four men from the Oxfordshire group who have already been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

he told presenter Phillip Schofield: “Before the test I had no symptoms.”

mr Beesley, who is chairman of furniture and stationery supplier B-Line Business Supplies in Stanton St John, added: “I have done 26 days of radiotherapy and have 11 days of it left. I am not in a very nice place at the moment but I am going to get there.

“The message myself and the others are trying to get across is get tested.

“Forget embarrassment. it takes seconds and can save your life. Wives and partners also need to drag their men to their GP is they have to. otherwise men will continue to die at a rate of one an hour.”

Television presenter Paul Ross turned out to be the only man seen having a live examination, after the programme over-ran its alloted time. But all the men needing tests went on to have them after the programme had aired.

Signs of prostate cancer are predominantly urinary, and include:

a weak, sometimes intermittent, flow of urine.

Difficulty starting to urinate.

a need to urinate frequently and urgently

Having to go to the toilet often during the night.

a feeling that your bladder is not completely empty after you have finished urinating.

Pain or burning when passing urine.

Blood in your urine.

Pain in the back, hips or pelvis.

anyone with concerns should consult their GP. Go to prostateaction.org.uk

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