An Altrincham man diagnosed with a common cancer despite no symptoms appealed to others to get a check-up.
Alan Roebuck felt fine at the time a few years ago, but went to a GP after he saw the late Bill Turnbull discuss the experience of prostate cancer on television.
After a blood test, Alan was shocked to be told he had the common cancer as well, but it was caught so early The Christie was able to treat him for the disease.
Now 75, the father of two and grandfather of two said: "It seemed a bit silly to bother the GP. But I’m glad I listened to my wife, Marilyn, who urged me to ‘just make sure all’s well’ after we heard Bill Turnbull’s experience.
"I felt fine before and during the treatment. While the diagnosis was a bit of a shock, the cancer was caught so early I was positive all would be well. And it is."
Alan is free from prostate cancer since 2020, but a lot of men are not so lucky.
Figures show one in eight men get it in their lifetime, with a diagnosis for those who are black, over-45 or who have relatives with the disease a lot more likely.
Alan said: "While celebrity power helps to increase awareness of cancer, I’m just a normal bloke who hopes to inspire someone else to get a check-up.
"And if it potentially saves a life, it would be wonderful. You can go through life thinking you’re invincible but you could be sitting on a time-bomb."
His appeal was echoed by Dr Amal Hashim, a GP at Park Medical Practice in Timperley, itself part of the Altrincham Healthcare Alliance Primary Care Network.
Dr Hashim said: "Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and while not always life-threatening, the earlier it's caught, the higher the chance of successful treatment. We’re urging patients to contact their GP for an initial consultation. It could save your life."
For information, go to nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/.
This article was written by Jack Tooth. Jack is the reporter for The Messenger and covers anything and everything from within the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford.
To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.
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