Gain without pain

THE mail’s campaign to raise awareness of prostate cancer is to be commended. However, I question the use of phrases such as ‘a painful

internal investigation’ and ‘a painful biopsy’.

I was diagnosed 14 years ago and can assure you that a biopsy is not painful. Uncomfortable, yes, and embarrassing, but mine was carried out by a wonderful surgeon who was calm and caring.

In fact, it can be described as like being pinged inside with an elastic band.

DAVID SANSOM, Cambridge.