Worcester Prostate Cancer Survivor calls for Testing Awareness in Over 50s
Recent prostate cancer survivor and Worcester businessman Duncan Sutcliffe calls for greater awareness of the need for males over the age of 50 to request annual and, in his case, life-saving PSA tests for prostate cancer detection.
Despite prostate cancer being the most common cancer in men, there is no routine testing. Thanks to the local business group, Worcestershire Ambassadors, hosting annual PSA testing events where, in exchange for a donation, men are given a test, pie and chips, local man Duncan Sutcliffe had been a regular participant. Having missed the 2025 event, he proactively requested a PSA test via his doctor’s surgery as part of a routine health check. Despite showing no symptoms at all, the test was positive, and things got more serious.
Further to the positive PSA test, further examinations, consultations, an MRI scan and finally a biopsy all took place alongside enjoying the normalcy of a summer full of Duncan’s active lifestyle, working and enjoying quality time with friends and family, even running all over the Worcestershire countryside. Unfortunately, while asymptomatic, the tests came back with the alarming news that Duncan was positive for prostate cancer.
Fortunately, the self-requested PSA test meant early detection, resulting in a small area of infection and a relatively straightforward removal of Duncan’s prostate with no other medical treatments necessary.
The surgery set Duncan back more than he anticipated, and instead of days, it was weeks before he had the energy to do even simple tasks. Yet after 3 months, fully recovered, he is back at work full time, socialising and even out running again, enjoying life to the full. Now he is passionate about raising awareness to potentially save the lives of other men who may well show no symptoms.
Duncan said: “ My case is like so many; I lead a fairly healthy lifestyle, exercise regularly and showed no signs of being ill. Fortunately, I was a regular attendee of a local testing event, which, when I missed it last year, spurred me to get a test via my GP. My following positive diagnosis could not have been handled better by the consultants, and my treatment, although uncomfortable and needing several months of recovery, means that I am now cancer-free. It’s vital that men over the age of 50 are aware of their personal risk factors and should talk to their GP about getting an annual PSA test in order to have the best chance of remaining cancer-free. “
What are the facts around Prostate Cancer and PSA Testing?
- Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK. About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
- Most men with early prostate cancer don’t have any symptoms.
- There is currently no routine testing. The Charity Prostate Cancer UK recommends that all men aged over 50 request an annual PSA test from their GP, or pay for one privately.
- A positive PSA test does not necessarily mean you have cancer, so different tests will be needed.
- Men from certain backgrounds or with a family history are recommended to get tests before then.
For more details about risk factors and how to go about getting a PSA test, please read this leaflet or visit Charity Prostate Cancer UK
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