How a former ultra marathon runner and friends are pushing city to go extra mile for men's health
As a competitive ultra-marathon man, Tony Collier felt he was at the peak of his fitness and able to tackle all that an upcoming gruelling race involved.
However, there was one obstacle he was not prepared for when he went to see a sports injuries doctor about what he believed to be a groin strain problem.
That was in 2017, when Tony was 60 and the news was shocking when tests revealed he had stage 4 (incurable) prostate cancer.
“I hadn’t had any side-effects or felt ill,” he recalls. “And I only went to see the Doctor because I couldn’t train properly. My Wife and I couldn’t believe it when I got the results.”
One of the key points in the medical process was when Tony’s wife asked his urologist how long he may have had the cancer for.
“The response was that I could have had it for at least ten years,” he says. “The anguish of that was also really hard to come to terms with. I now know that any man aged 50, even without any symptoms, has the right to ask their GP for advice on having a PSA (blood) test to see if it shows markers for prostate cancer.
“If I’d had that simple blood test I could be in a totally different position now, instead of being given a worst case-prognosis of 2 years.”
Just over eight years later and Tony channels that anguish into a proactive approach that sees him champion men’s health – and ensure other men avoid an experience like his.
So much so, Tony, who is an ambassador for charity Prostate Cancer UK recently attended Manchester’s full Council meeting, where it was agreed that the city would do its utmost to raise awareness of a disease that 1 in 8 men will get.
“It’s the most common cancer that men face,” says Tony. “But we all have a duty to share that information and urge our loved ones to take action, especially if they are in one of the potential risk groups. I’m a former accountant and people need to look at the numbers.”
Those numbers are stark:
1 in 8 men get prostate cancer;
That’s 1 in 4 for Black men;
2.5 times greater risk if the man has a family history of prostate cancer or mother or sister has had breast or ovarian cancers;
And, anyone over the age of 50 has the right to ask their GP for advice on a PSA test, even if they are not in any risk groups or do not have any symptoms.
Tony also urges men to put aside any reticence and conquer any potential embarrassment: “I think some men think they will have to face a rectal exam and invasive procedures, but that’s a misconception. We are talking about a simple blood test in your arm and an early diagnosis saves lives because it usually results in a cure.”
That’s a sentiment shared by Sarah Doran, Manchester’s Deputy Director of Public Health. For her, this message is personal after she lost her own Dad to the disease after a late diagnosis.
“I would want all men to know that they can talk to their GP about getting a PSA test, especially if they are a higher risk. The sooner you take action, the sooner you can get treatment and the longer you will have with your family and friends, because that’s what matters most,” she says.
Councillor Thomas Robinson, Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social care, at Manchester City Council, agrees:
“We want this whole city to join the fight against prostate cancer. We know that when Manchester decides to do something it does it with gusto. We need action so that partners can also help to empower men to take that next step in looking after themselves and asking their GP for advice on a PSA test if they are in a risk group or aged over 50.
“In fact, they can start right now by using the risk-checker from Prostate Cancer UK.”
That imperative is echoed by Tony:
“When you look after yourself you are looking after your family and future memories. I don’t want anyone else to be the next ‘me’. Don’t be the next Tony, act now.”