’Detecting prostate cancer early saved my life’: James’s prostate cancer story

Even before King Charles was diagnosed with cancer following treatment for an enlarged prostate or news broke about Kate Middleton’s abdominal surgery earlier this year, the life-changing importance of cancer screening was already making headlines.

Back in November 2022, the NHS revealed that the number of people having treatment for prostate cancer jumped by more than a quarter in one year. Driven in no small part by its nationwide campaign in partnership with Prostate Cancer UK, which promoted the use of its prostate risk checker tool.

Diagnoses for high profile celebrities, such as Stephen Fry and a plot line in UK soap Eastenders also helped bring attention to the most common cancer among people with a prostate – a diagnosis that affects 1 in 8 in the UK.

The importance of early detection

Like any cancer, survival is greatly improved the earlier it’s caught. And while there is no national screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK, the government is launching a research programme to help establish one.

Currently, a blood test for prostate-specific antigen (known as PSA) remains the most common means of detecting it. However, because this type of cancer can often take a long time to develop with no immediate symptoms, it can be hard to detect through blood tests alone.

For 62-year-old Vitality member James, it wasn’t something that was on his radar.

After taking out a health insurance plan with Vitality in early 2023, he and his wife decided to take the opportunity to undergo a Bluecrest Health Assessment, available to him through his plan.

When James’s results revealed he had a high PSA reading, he was advised to book a Vitality GP appointment to discuss the next steps.

From screening to diagnosis

Following further investigation, a biopsy confirmed the presence of cancer. But because it had been picked up so early, the outlook was positive.

After being given several treatment options, including surgery or radiotherapy through the NHS, James was able to call upon Vitality’s specialist cancer team to guide him through the options.

“The cancer nurse from Vitality, who’s main area of interest was prostate cancer, was tremendous,” he says.

“I was able to see the consultant and ask relevant questions. I didn’t have to turn to ‘Dr Google’, and I felt a lot more in control.”

Guided by a specialist cancer nurse along the way, James was able to make a more informed decision about his treatment, which on this occasion was provided by the NHS with extra support from Vitality. Rather than, as he describes it, needing to “take a stab in the dark”.

Navigating through treatment

It was not only early detection, access to a GP and appropriate treatment guidance he got through his health insurance, he also received advice on lifestyle choices and physical activity along the way through Vitality's Cancer Support Programme powered by Alvie.

“The cancer support team spoke to me about things like nutrition to help with recovery, or the side effects of treatment, so I knew what was coming. The fear was taken away,” he reflects.

“They also sent me a package in the post with a blanket and a few other things. That brought me to tears. I just felt I wasn’t alone on this journey.”

The road to recovery

James’s treatment finished at the end of 2023 and he is now on the road to recovery, looking forward to getting back to work and on with his life.

“I’m in a good place now, mentally and physically and much improved. Vitality offered me a couple of days at a health resort (Champneys), which I might take up.”

James’ hope is that through sharing his story, more people will get themselves checked, not just for prostate cancer, but to build a picture of their overall health more generally.

“That screening ultimately could have saved my life, because I wouldn’t have gone for that screening were it not for my health insurance. I didn’t see it as important. Now I see it as vital.”

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