Warwickshire prostate cancer survivor thanks King for 'sparking conversation'
Russell Cager has been doing 31 triathlons in 31 days for Prostate Cancer UK
A prostate cancer survivor says the King's operation has sparked a "conversation" about the disease.
Russell Cager, from Rugby, is to complete 31 triathlons in 31 days for Prostate Cancer UK and hopes his challenge will encourage men to have regular checks.
The mortgage adviser praised Charles's bravery for sharing news about his operation for an enlarged prostate.
Mr Cager, 55, told the PA news agency: "People are picking it up on the news and it's almost becoming a topic of conversation for men of our age.
"I almost get where (Charles) is coming from. The fact he's decided to go public and share his story for arguably the same reasons I did, but obviously on a completely different scale.
"It's good he's sharing his story because it gives us a little bit of a kick to what we're doing."
Throughout January, Mr Cager took on 31 Olympic distance triathlons consisting of a 1.5km swim, a 40km bike ride, and a 10km run, raising more than £7,700 for charity. He will finish the feat on Wednesday.
"Most important thing I've ever done"
He described his challenge as "the most important thing I've ever done in my life" and noticed his story has given men the confidence to share their prostate cancer journeys.
"We're getting people coming up to us and talking to us about prostate cancer or their life experiences or their family member who has had it, so it's really had an impact on a lot of people which has been amazing," he explained.
"I know people who haven't got symptoms but are going to go and get tested, which is exactly what we wanted.
"I'm overwhelmed that I'm having this impact on people."
He said he feels proud to raise money for charity while also spreading his message to encourage men to check their prostate "as a matter of routine".
"We've achieved what we wanted to achieve from a donation point of view.
"But more importantly, that message we wanted was to get people tested and not rely on symptoms.
"The challenge was brilliant... It's captured people's emotions and thoughts."
Russell will finish his last triathlon of the month on Wednesday and plans to mark the end of the challenge by celebrating with friends and family.
He said: "We're doing an after-show party, so on the 31st we're all getting together for pizza and bubbles."
He confirmed he will not take on challenges on this scale for a while and said he is looking forward to some planned spa treatments.
Mr Cager has surpassed his original fundraising target of £5,000 after receiving public donations and contributions from leisure centre chain David Lloyd.
He hopes to raise £10,000 for the charity and continue raising awareness of prostate cancer.
He urged men: "Don't rely on symptoms any more, go and get yourself tested. Get yourself tested as a matter of routine."
To check your risk of prostate cancer, you can visit here
King Charles still in hospital
Meanwhile, the King has spent a third night in hospital, after undergoing a procedure for an enlarged prostate.
Charles was twice visited by the Queen on Sunday, the third and fourth times she has been to see him at the private hospital since they arrived on Friday.
Camilla smiled as she arrived at The London Clinic in central London by car at midday on Sunday, leaving again just over three hours later.
She returned between 6pm and 7pm and was smiling as she left.
It is the same hospital where the Princess of Wales is being cared for after abdominal surgery.
Camilla told people inside The London Clinic on Friday that the King was "doing well" after the procedure.
After he was admitted on Friday, Charles took time to visit his daughter-in-law, Kate, who is now on the 14th day of her hospital stay after undergoing a major operation last week.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman previously said the King was "admitted to a London hospital for scheduled treatment".
The spokesman added: "His Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week and is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness."
It is not known how long Charles will spend in hospital.
The King arrived in London from Norfolk on Thursday, ready for the procedure after squeezing in a couple of behind-the-scenes official duties.
He was diagnosed with the benign condition on January 17 while staying at Birkhall, Aberdeenshire, after going for a check-up because he was experiencing symptoms.
He is understood to have wanted to share the news to encourage other men to get themselves checked.
Charles, 75, who acceded to the throne only 16 months ago, cancelled engagements and was urged to rest by his doctors ahead of the corrective procedure.
The exact nature of his treatment is not known.
NHS England said the "enlarged prostate" page on the NHS website received one visit every five seconds on the day the King's diagnosis was announced, with further huge boosts in visits in the days that followed.
The Queen had previously said her husband is "fine" and looking forward to getting back to work.
News of his diagnosis came on the same day that Kensington Palace announced the princess was in hospital after undergoing abdominal surgery.
Kate, 42, is not expected to carry out official engagements until after Easter, with the Prince of Wales clearing his diary of official duties for the time being.