"It will become too late" - Essex man urges others to get prostate check
He had the disease in 2019 and is urging others to talk to their doctors
A man from Essex has urged people to visit their GP if they're at all concerned about prostate cancer, having suffered with the disease himself in 2019.
It comes as the NHS and Prostate Cancer UK launch a 'Missing Men' campaign to help find 13,000 ‘missing men’ who have not started treatment for prostate cancer since the pandemic began.
Steve Adcock, 55, from Upminster, discovered that he had prostate cancer in January 2019: "I went away with some friends before Christmas and they noticed I was going to the toilet rather a lot.
"I just presumed that, because I've got to over 50, that's what happens, but they said no, that's not right and recommended I go and see the doctor.
"Within a couple of weeks, I'd seen the doctor and been diagnosed...
"I was well, I didn't feel ill, but something inside of me wasn't quite right.
"Thankfully, I got it sorted out and within six months I'd had all the treatment."
Steve's now is urging men to talk to their GPs if something doesn't feel right: "I was walking round with prostate cancer and never knew I had it.
"There're going to be so many men out there in the same situation as me.
"If you don't get it checked, then it will become too late to be cleared up."
He said the test to check for the disease was easy: "It's just a quick blood test, that's all. That's the best way of getting yourself tested.
"Have the PSA count checked and go from there. That's all I I did."
Steve also highlighted the importance of having a good support system: "Once you hear those couple of words: "you have cancer", it just hits you like a brick.
"But I learned you have to talk about it. You have to make people aware and keep family around you."
Steve, two weeks after finishing his treatment, raised £1500 for Prostate Cancer UK's by taking part in their London March for Men event in June 2019.
Prostate Cancer UK and NHS England advise that anyone who does experience symptoms such as problems urinating or needing to pee more frequently often should speak to their doctor to get checked.
1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime, with men over 50, black men, or those whose father or brother had the disease at even greater risk.
If you're concerned, more information can be found here.