The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A cancer sufferer who was diagnosed despite having no real symptoms is urging men of all ages to get checked.
David Barfoot (67), of Shepeau Stow, was diagnosed with prostate cancer when he was 64.
He’d had no symptoms to speak of and was only diagnosed with the illness after a doctor noticed his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels had been fluctuating over a number of years.
Mr Barfoot was referred to a specialist who broke the news that he had prostate cancer.
He said: “When diagnosed I was 64 years of age, so please don’t listen to the stories that it’s a 70 years onwards problem – it can strike at any age.
“For eight years before I was diagnosed with cancer, I was going for regular PSA blood tests. The readings on them ranged from 4 to 6:7 so I thought there wasn’t a problem.
“However on my last visit over 30 months ago my PSA level had dropped to 6:2.
“That day I saw a different doctor and she asked me if I wanted to be referred to a specialist because my readings over the years had been fluctuating.
“I was sent for further tests and was diagnosed with cancer with readings in two separate places – six out of ten one side and eight out of ten the other side.
“I had no real symptoms, apart from getting up odd times during the night to pass water, which I always did, plus a little slower urine stream which I had put down to my age.
“Further tests showed my cancer had not spread, which was very good news.
“If I had not been diagnosed then, I might not have been here now.”
Mr Barfoot underwent 38 radiotherapy sessions at Peterborough District Hospital.
He added: “They were a great team helping in every way possible.
“I had very few side effects and finished my treatments just over two years ago.
“I now return to hospital twice a year and my PSA levels are less then zero per cent which is great news.
“I would advise every male at whatever age, who has a problem or think they might have, to go to see their doctor straight away and ask for a PSA blood test.
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of or to worry about but if left and not caught early the consequences could be more severe.
“Prostate cancer is a killer if left, catch it early and it can be beaten.”
