A RETIREE who had his prostate removed three weeks ago has spoken of the rollercoaster of emotions after being diagnosed with cancer.

Neil Delaney, had no serious symptoms before he was diagnosed.

Now, he has taken the brave decision to speak out in the hope that other residents get a check which could save their lives.

The 66-year-old from Appleton, is on a mission to spread awareness of prostate cancer after receiving his own unexpected diagnosis in May this year.

Relaying the moment he was told the devastating news he said: “The biggest shock for me was when the nurse said on the phone, ‘I will be your co-ordinator’ and it all became very real. I was shaking.”

Neil, who is now three weeks post-op received potentially life-saving surgery to remove his prostate.

After noticing the alarming lack of symptoms Neil and wife Pauline, 61, have told anyone who will listen but are advising in particular men over the age of 50 at higher risk, to ‘do yourself a favour and get checked’.Warrington Guardian:

Neil detailed how after receiving the treatment he immediately contacted his group of friends and ex-work colleagues who share an email chain to urge them to go and be checked, with half of the men having gone to be checked since and one receiving a diagnosis after doing so.

Back in February, Mr Delaney initially went to the doctors after feeling ‘something wasn’t quite right’ and was referred for a blood test to measure the PSA levels in his blood.

After receiving the results back that the levels were higher than normal Neil was then sent for an MRI scan and further tests which determined the cancer to be at ‘high risk’ level.

Neil emphasised his ‘relief’ that they found it so early but voiced his concerns that there are no regularly screenings for men.

Detailing the tremendous help he received from the NHS and one particular ‘wonderful nurse’ who assisted him greatly throughout his journey, Neil said: “We would like to praise the NHS for all their help, they have been truly amazing.”

Pauline, who previously worked as a teaching assistant for children with disabilities, described their cancer journey as an ‘eye opening experience’.

She said: “You never know how you are going to act in these situations but I was surprised at our positivity and resilience. I did plenty of research so I knew what we were facing, and we will not accept anything but a good outcome from it.

She added: “There are more people who live with cancer than die with it.”

The couple, who retired to enjoy time travelling around the UK on their narrow boat, have kept a positive mind set throughout and are now awaiting further blood test results to determine if the surgery has worked.

Pauline emphasised the importance of time when it comes to a diagnosis saying: “Time is everything and the earlier they find it, the earlier they can do something about it.”

She added: “There is a lot of life left to live, don’t let something like this catch you out.”

Neil who is now in recovery from his operation has postponed his active lifestyle for now but is in high spirits and the couple hope to be out boating in the near future.

 

Prostate cancer symptoms to look out for

Here are the main symptoms as shown on Prostate Cancer UK :

  • Difficulty starting to urinate or emptying your bladder
  • A weak flow when you urinate
  • A feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly
  • Dribbling urine after you finish urinating
  • Needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night
  • A sudden need to urinate – you may sometimes leak urine before you get to the toilet.