Spalding prostate cancer survivor Rodney Marks speaks out in bid to raise awareness
A prostate cancer survivor from Spalding is raising awareness of the disease which takes the lives of 10,000 men each year.
And some 2,000 others have their world turned upside down by a diagnosis of testicular cancer, statistics from Everyman - The Institute of Cancer Research reveal.
Rodney Marks (73) is ‘not embarrassed’ to talk about his experience of prostate cancer which he says ‘catches you out’ as there are no obvious symptoms, although trouble peeing could be one.
In August last year, following a blood test, the prostate specific antigen (PSA) gave an early indicator that there could be something wrong.
He was referred to the hospital in Boston, and when the reading, which tests the cells for cancer, was 6.9, which according to Cancer.Org for a man of his age should read 6.5 – he was sent to have a biopsy.
Mr Marks said: “The MRI scan showed there was probably something there and they sent me for a biopsy – which is not very pleasant – up the back passage.
“I had general anesthetic for the biopsy and it showed low level prostate cancer.”
He was then referred to a urologist specialist at a hospital in Lincoln and was told he needed treatment.
He said: “I was given three options. Sit and wait, radiotherapy or surgical intervention.
“I was glad they gave me the choice and good that they gave me time to think.
“By the age of 75 the surgery would be a non-option.
“I had the operation in June and my prostate should be clear of it completely and it was caught early.”
Mr Marks praises the NHS and the prostate cancer websites in ‘telling you everything you need to know’ and a designated nurse he could email with any concerns and being provided with a month’s worth of incontinence pads.
He said: “I was given literature to read by the oncologist and I felt radiotherapy was not a good idea so opted for the surgery.”
And in terms of treating patients in the county he said: “Lincolnshire seems to have got on top of it quite well.”
Mr Marks’ father was also a prostate cancer survivor and had surgery to have his prostate removed.
But talking about it was not the norm then and Mr Marks aims to get men talking and to get checked, particularly if there is a problem urinating.
He said: “My dad was in a hospital ward for two weeks and had his prostate removed but it was never mentioned again.”
In comparison, with findings by the Institute of Cancer Research, gaining knowledge about the condition to help men live longer, Mr Marks was in hospital overnight and had six incisions rather than a large scar, as his father had.
Along with Councillor Mark Le Sage, he wants to get men talking openly about prostate cancer and how important it is to catch it early.
The poster, designed by Coun Le Sage who works in the health profession, offers a signpost to Prostate Cancer UK for advice and states: “If you’re still wondering why you can’t have a wee, it maybe time to speak to your GP.
“It’s really not embarrassing, everyone has to wee, so don’t bottle it up, speak to your GP.”
Mr Marks said: “We really need to get the message out.
“Women have breast screening but men will have to ask the doctor for blood tests for prostate cancer and these are not 100 per cent.”
As someone who exercises regularly, swimming and playing water polo Mr Marks said: “Prostate cancer seems to run in the family.
“I swim a lot and we talk about it in the changing rooms and I discovered there are a few guys who have had it.
“I am quite happy to talk about it.”
Research has helped to develop new drugs, increase cure rates, new forms of radiotherapy and ways of treating and diagnosing prostate cancer.
Both men feel that it is important to talk about it openly to combat the fears of having a prostate test.
Mr Marks is candid in his advice and said: “The downside of surgery is loss of sensation and I have been doing pelvic floor exercises for incontinence.
“A lot of men lose the ability to have an erection but to me it is no great loss.
“I have been happily married for 48 years and there are worse things to worry about.
“The problem is there are no symptoms whatsoever but with no noticeable symptoms there are more serious problems later.
“Difficulty passing water is one sign but sadly us men suffer with it anyway.
“Yes the perineum probe (the area between the anus and the scrotum in males) is not pleasant and is embarrassing for a moment, but it is two minutes and then it is all over.
“Men have got to stop being embarrassed and get the checks done early.
“Men over 50 need to get tested, especially if there is family history, and afro-Caribbean men should get tested at 40 as they are twice as likely to suffer from it.”
Describing a picture of his grandchildren Mr Marks said: “ This is really what the message is all about.
“For men like myself to enjoy their family for as long as possible.
“It makes it all worthwhile.”
Mr Marks is due to have a follow up in August, a year to the day, and said: “Hopefully it will be completely clear.”
Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs for many years
Symptoms of prostate cancer do not usually appear until the prostate is large enough to affect the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the penis (urethra).
When this happens, you may notice things like:
*an increased need to pee
*straining while you pee
*a feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied
These symptoms should not be ignored, but they do not mean you have prostate cancer.
The prostate is a small gland in the pelvis and is part of the male reproductive system.
About the size of a walnut, it's located between the penis and the bladder, and surrounds the urethra.
The main function of the prostate is to produce a thick white fluid that creates semen when mixed with the sperm produced by the testicles.
For further information and advice contact: Prostate Cancer UK 0800 074 8383 or visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer
