Grandad feels ‘very lucky’ to beat cancer
AGRANDAD has described how he feels ‘very lucky’ to have marked the end of a course of treatment for prostate cancer.
Philip Eddleston, from Great Harwood, said his older brother, Peter, sadly died of the disease in October 2018, which spurred him on to seek blood tests from his GP.
One such test flagged up signs of the disease last September, with a full body scan revealing the cancer had thankfully not spread.
“This was followed by a four-week course of radiotherapy at Royal Preston Hospital.
Philip, 73, said: “My brother, Peter, died of prostate cancer. He had gone too far.
“It had spread, so although he did have an extra few years, it eventually got him in the end.
“Fortunately, for me, the cancer hadn’t spread, and it was still within the immediate area. So, the earlier you diagnose it, the better.
“The treatment itself only takes about ten minutes, but it’s five days a week for four weeks. It doesn’t hurt - it’s nothing. You lie on a sort of glass bed, then you’re raised about six foot in the air. You can see the tops of the nurses’ heads; they leave the room, and the machine starts to rotate around your body. They have music on.
“I’ve got to know so many people - I’m on first name terms with a lot of the nurses and staff, and it’s been a pleasure.
“To anybody else that’s coming here in the future, I’d say not to be afraid at all, you’ll be well-looked after.
“I know a lot of people think they’re going to go through a tunnel, or something like that, where it’s an enclosed area, but you’re not, you’re always in a room and you can see everything within the room. You’re not under any stress.”
Drawing attention to the disease, often described as having no obvious symptoms, he said he had since encouraged all his friends to get tested every six or 12 months.
He added that the treatment was ‘pain free’, adding: “I feel very lucky.
“They’ve given me a good prognosis, and hopefully that will remain.”
The former baker said he was ‘very happy’ to ring the bell at the hospital’s Rosemere Cancer Centre signifying the end of the fourweek course of radiotherapy treatment, adding: “It felt wonderful – my consultant told me that there’s an 80 percent chance it’s cured.”
The grandad of two-yearold Eva, eight-year-old Leo and seven-year-old Josh said his family were ‘very happy’ with the outcome, after being concerned at the
outset, and said he was looking forward to getting back outside for spring.
Prostate cancer, which affects the small gland in the pelvis and is part of the male reproductive system,
is the most common cancer in men. If caught early, some cases of prostate cancer can be cured and treated through surgery and radiotherapy.
The radiotherapy depart
ment based at Royal Preston Hospital is celebrating a quarter of a century of service and has called on members of the public to not delay seeking help for any signs of cancer.