I have prostate cancer

I was told a few weeks ago that I have prostate cancer. My wife had been badgering me for some time to get tested, and I finally agreed. I have no symptoms, no reason to think that I might have it, but it turns out I do. My brother in law, some years older than me, had the same experience eight years ago, only had it done because his wife kept asking him to, and he had it. His was dealt with by a prostatectomy and he's been fine since.

So, first lesson, GUYS, LISTEN TO YOUR WOMEN FOLK!

There's been a lot of stuff lately in the UK about whether screening should be routine. I have not come down on one side or the other. I appreciate the expert argument that there is not enough benefit, given the unreliability of the tests, etc. On the other hand, the whole situation would probably be a lot better if us men took a more serious approach to our health.

As for treatment, my first consultation with urology was two days after I was given the news. The doctor who saw me was in no doubt that I have it, as my PSA number was so high, so they started straight away with two whacking great doses of Degarelix. I have side effects. (I read the information leaflet with great attention.) The most persistent is hot flushes. Whatever jokes are forming in your mind right now about men having hot flushes, I've already thought of all of them, and more. The flushes are not inconvenient, just a mild feeling, and actually they're quite friendly. It's like my body saying, hey, this is working.

Several scans, a biopsy, and other contact with medical teams occurred over the next six weeks. There were a couple of administrative errors which were quickly and effectively dealt with by the medical teams. I've been told that there is no sign of the cancer having spread beyond the prostate. There is now a pause of several weeks while the biopsy is analysed, and then the urology and oncology teams separately meet to discuss me, and then eventually they will each call me to a consultation to discuss findings and future treatment. So the new year will be busy. But for the moment, it seems that I will live a while longer.

That's all been done in the space of a few weeks, despite the pressure the NHS is under. That's pretty impressive.

And, one final thing for now. All the medical teams I've seen, and I've seen a few, were composed partly or wholly of immigrants. If the headbangers in Reform and the more bonkers wing of the Tory party had their way, the NHS would collapse.