A Pembrokeshire County Councillor who has been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer, is urging men to get tested at a Prostate Cymru event in Narberth.

The Welsh charity is touring the nation to test more than 3,000 men for prostate cancer and it descends on Narberth RFC on June 1.

Fifty-six-year-old Guy Woodham, Pembrokeshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, and former mayor of Milford Haven, was 55 when his GP suggested a series of tests as a “bit of an MOT.”

He was fit, healthy and had no symptoms, stating: “My GP phoned me to tell me that my PSA reading was raised. I was referred to a urologist and had further tests which showed an abmormality. I braced myself to hear that I might need surgery but I wasn’t prepared to hear the news that it was already stage four and that it had spread to the bone. Suddenly, I had incurable, advanced cancer.

Guy Woodham
Fifty-six-year-old Guy Woodham (pictured with his sister Rhian) was 55 when his GP suggested a series of tests as a “bit of an MOT.” (Pic supplied)

“I am now doing everything I can to raise awareness. My message to men is that you can feel fine but you may have prostate cancer. There’s no screening programme currently.

“Some GPs are reluctant to do a PSA test as it’s not always reliable but it’s all we’ve got at the moment. So get yourself signed up to the testing event in Narberth or go speak to your GP.”

Guy – who led a team of more than 20 on Prostate Cymru’s Big Walk last year which raised more than £10,000 - is currently responding well to treatment but stated: “Hopefully my story’s helped at least one other person. Because if you catch it early, something can be done. Most of the time, I feel positive. I still don’t have any symptoms and I have virtually no side effects from hormone treatment.”

The campaign has been described by Prostate Cymru as “ambitious and costly”. More than 3000 tests will be made available, costing over £100,000. Prostate Cymru is working with sponsors at each event to make this possible while individuals will be asked to donate £10.

JCP Solicitors has chosen Prostate Cymru as its Charity of the Year and is proud to be sponsoring the upcoming Narberth testing event.

Guy – who led a team of more than 20 on Prostate Cymru’s Big Walk last year which raised more than £10,000 - is currently responding well to treatment but stated:
Guy – who led a team of more than 20 on Prostate Cymru’s Big Walk last year which raised more than £10,000 - is currently responding well to treatment. (Pic supplied)

Tina Tew of Prostate Cymru said: “All men over 50 are entitled to a free PSA test from their GP. That drops to 45 if there is a family history or if they are Black.

“The evidence tells us that if we could make it easier for men to get tested, more men would welcome a test. Narberth will be our sixth testing event and we’ve received so much feedback from men, whether that’s from those who now know they need to visit their GP for follow-up tests or from those who now have peace of mind.”

On the day, a specialist nurse and consultant will be on hand to provide more detailed information on the test, and what happens next in the event of a positive test result.