A chain of events led to a shock prostate cancer diagnosis for Tim

After years of serving his community as a police officer, Tim was enjoying retired life in North Yorkshire with his wife. But when a PSA blood test showed a slight rise in his PSA levels, it set off a chain of events that led to a prostate cancer diagnosis.

“At the age of 55 and knowing I have a history of prostate cancer in the family, I asked my GP for a PSA blood test. At the time my PSA level was mildly elevated, but an MRI scan showed everything was OK." 

5 years later, Tim requested another PSA test “When the results came back, my levels had again increased slightly so I was referred for another MRI scan. This time I also needed a biopsy and when the results came back, I was given the diagnosis no one wants to hear – I had prostate cancer!”

Tim’s MRI scan and biopsy were completed at his local NHS hospital and after his diagnosis he was told he’d been referred to a surgeon in Leeds.

“I was quite surprised no other treatments were discussed with me at that point, as based on what I’d heard from others, I really wanted to avoid surgery if I could.”

It was only when Tim had a consultation with the surgeon that he had the chance to ask if there were any other treatment options available to him.

“The surgeon explained radiotherapy could be an effective alternative and referred me to Dr Joji Joseph, a Clinical Oncologist based in Leeds, who specialises in radiotherapy. I saw Dr Joseph about a week later and he confirmed I would be a suitable candidate for radiotherapy but there’d be a four to five-month wait before I could start treatment. Whilst he was comfortable my cancer wasn’t aggressive, and waiting wasn’t a problem, I didn’t want to wait to get things sorted. I mentioned I had private medical insurance and asked whether that might open other options for me — that’s when he told me about the MR Linac at GenesisCare.”

He explained how it was the latest type of radiotherapy technology which despite not being widely available, was accessible at the GenesisCare centres in Oxford, London and Surrey.”

He also explained that the advantage of this MRI-guided radiotherapy is its exceptional precision. The technology gives doctors far greater control, allowing them to safely deliver higher doses directly to the tumour without damaging nearby healthy tissue. As a result, treatment can be completed in just five sessions, and the accuracy of the approach means there are far fewer – if any – side effects for patients. On that basis, for me, it was a no brainer!

Whilst I live too far away to do the programme onsite in the GenesisCare centre, I could do it remotely via their exercise medicine app.  I was given a home-based programme, and I had a couple of video calls at the start and end, but it was really easy to follow.

Tim concludes “I didn’t know about GenesisCare until I spoke to Dr Joseph, but I couldn’t have asked for more from them. Travelling for treatment didn’t bother me — I’m used to going down to London. In fact, those two weeks, despite my treatment, felt more like a short holiday. When I wasn’t having treatment, my wife and I would go for walks through Hyde Park, and we found some great little pubs.

Since my treatment finished I’ve completed a sponsored 60 mile run to raise money for prostate cancer.  It’s as if that two week ‘hiatus’ never happened.

For anyone else facing a prostate cancer diagnosis, I’d recommend they ask about all the options available and if the MR Linac is suitable — I’d choose it every time.”