A North Lincolnshire dad-of-two who was left in “complete disbelief” after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in his forties has made it his mission to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease among men of all ages.
Dave Hunt, 44, from Wrawby, was told he had prostate cancer in September after experiencing symptoms, including being desperate to go to the toilet but having a weak urine flow. He said that if it wasn’t for two of his work colleagues previously having the disease and being open about their symptoms, he may not have recognised the signs.
The energy industry worker is gearing up to take part in a sponsored walk on the Humber Bridge on Sunday, November 19, with all proceeds going to Prostate Cancer UK. Incredibly, he has already raised more than double his original goal of £1,000 – and has encouraged multiple men to visit their GP and get checked.
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Dave said: “When I was told I was in complete disbelief. It was a shock. But what really became apparent is that, considering my uncle died from the disease a few years ago, when I made contact with my dad and brother to tell them the news, they were upset, and said, ‘What can we do for you?’.
“I asked them if either of them had been tested and it just amazed me that, based on our family history already, neither of them knew the signs or symptoms. As a family, we’re two-and-a-half times more likely to get prostate cancer, so it just goes to show the complete lack of awareness.
(Image: Dave Hunt)
“Two work colleagues of mine where I used to work both got diagnosed at a similar time and they were so open about it, which I think as men we’re really rubbish at, but they spoke very openly to everyone about it and raised awareness. So ten years down the line I remembered the symptoms they’d warned me about and realised I was having them.”
Speaking about his diagnosis, Dave continued: “Because of my age, I thought it’d just be an infection. When I was in the waiting area, I was sat with guys aged over 80 so everything felt very surreal. I saw the cancer nurse, and I knew at that point something wasn’t good. But they were fantastic and told me about my treatment options.”
In December, Dave will undergo a radical prostatectomy – the removal of his prostate – at Castle Hill Hospital in Hull. In the weeks following his diagnosis, he said the support he has received from Prostate Cancer UK has been incredible – and that staff on the other end of the phone even helped him break the news to his two children.
(Image: Dave Hunt)
“You feel life around you is continuing, and you’re in this limbo. Any person, man, woman, diagnosed with cancer probably feels that way, but Prostate Cancer UK have so much support,” he said.
“They gave me guidance on how to tell my kids and even said if they wanted to ring up, they can. Obviously there’s all sorts running through your mind, and you’re like, ‘How do I tell my kids that?’. My kids are my life and my world and to tell them something like that, you want their world to continue, you constantly try and shield them from anything bad, but in this case you can’t.”
Since his diagnosis, Dave has encouraged several of his friends to go and get checked at their GP surgeries – and wants as many men as possible to be aware of the symptoms of prostate cancer.
These include difficulty when urinating, a weak flow when urinating, a feeling that your bladder has not emptied properly, needing to urinate more often than usual and a sudden need to urinate. More information can be found here.
“I don’t pity myself with the situation I’m in, I want change. The chance of getting prostate cancer is one in eight, and more men need to be aware to look out for the signs and go and get themselves checked,” Dave said.
To donate to Dave’s fundraiser and support his challenge, click here.
Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe
