Latest news with #CharteredInstituteofExport
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Sir Chris Hoy saved my life – without him, I wouldn't be here today
Patrick Hughes, 57, is an education team manager at the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade. He lives in Ross-on-Wye with his wife Annmarie and their 24-year-old son, Liam. When I heard Sir Chris Hoy say that his only initial symptoms of prostate cancer were pain in his shoulder and ribs, I realised I needed to check my risk of the disease. He was speaking on television in November, shortly after announcing in October that his prostate cancer diagnosis was terminal. Until that point, I'd never seriously considered being at risk of prostate cancer, despite my dad tragically dying of the disease in 2021. But when Sir Chris told BBC News that his shoulder pain was actually a tumour, that's when my mindset completely changed – and just months later, I was diagnosed with the disease myself. In 2014 at the age of 69, my dad, Alan, was diagnosed with prostate cancer after struggling for months with incontinence and multiple toilet trips during the night. By the time he was diagnosed, his PSA level was incredibly high at 300 and the cancer had already spread to the base of his spine so it was very advanced. Fortunately, the doctors were able to keep the cancer at bay for a few years with hormone therapy. We treasured that time with my dad, but this treatment couldn't stop his cancer from progressing. He had a couple of rounds of basic chemotherapy but by that time his cancer had spread into his bones and in July 2021, he went into a hospice. Just a few weeks later, he was back home again and could no longer walk. He stayed at home – mainly in bed – and became sicker and sicker until he sadly passed away on Christmas Eve at the age of 76. Watching this disease take over his body and make him increasingly poorly was devastating. Yet I hadn't seriously considered my own risk of prostate cancer until I heard Sir Chris speak about his diagnosis that night in November. He had no prostate-related symptoms and was obviously incredibly fit and a great athlete. I began to realise that if someone like him could suddenly be diagnosed with such a debilitating disease with no obvious symptoms, then I needed to check my own risk. That night, I went through the risk checker on Prostate Cancer UK's website and discovered that, because of my dad's illness, I was at high risk of the disease. That immediately spurred me into action and, that night, I requested a PSA blood test via the NHS app. Yet days later, I received a call from my GP who wanted to know why I'd done this. I explained that my dad died from prostate cancer and although I had no obvious symptoms, that didn't mean that I didn't have the disease (Sir Chris being my case in point). He was incredibly reluctant for me to have a PSA blood test done and kept saying that he didn't think I needed it – even on the day of my test. It was done on a Friday and he told me that if there were any issues, he'd ring me. That Monday, I received a call from him and he told me that my PSA was elevated at 7.2. Shortly after, I had a urine test to rule out any infections and then, a few days later, my GP decided that we'd leave it for a month and then do another PSA blood test. By that point, it was Christmas. I tried my best to join in with the merriments, yet I couldn't shake my elevated PSA level from the back of my mind. My wife Annmarie was incredibly supportive and a massive help during this period. We didn't want to assume the worst but it was really difficult playing the waiting game, not knowing what was going to happen. On December 30, I had my second PSA blood test and it had risen slightly to 7.3. My GP referred me to the urology department in Hereford Hospital where I had an MRI scan. This produced some concerning results which prompted the doctors to send me for a biopsy. The nurses and doctors at Hereford Hospital were great – incredibly communicative and very quick too. In February, I was summoned to the hospital where the consultant and nurse told me for the first time that I had prostate cancer. Whilst this was obviously a big shock, reassuringly it was grade six which is quite low and, at that point, it was contained in the prostate and hadn't spread elsewhere. They gave me two options: an operation to completely remove the prostate or hormone therapy and radiotherapy. For me, the choice was easy. I wanted the cancer gone completely so I chose the surgery. On March 21st, I had my operation and, again, the surgeon and consultant at Hereford Hospital were really helpful and explained everything well. The surgery was successful, however the recovery process was quite uncomfortable. I was off work for six weeks afterwards and struggled with incontinence. During this time, one of the nurses said I should use an app called Squeezy which has guided exercises to help strengthen my pelvic floor muscles which was helpful. Because I used this app religiously in the early days after my operation, I rebuilt my pelvic floor strength quite quickly which meant incontinence wasn't a prolonged problem. I'd highly recommend it for anyone struggling with a similar issue. Now, I'm back to work and cancer-free. If it wasn't for Sir Chris speaking openly about his prostate cancer diagnosis, my body could be riddled with the disease by now and I'd be none the wiser. Similarly, if I'd listened to my GP at the start and decided not to have the test, who knows what could have happened. The fact that Sir Chris was a fit and healthy athlete, relatively young, and had no symptoms, yet now has terminal prostate cancer is shocking. It's encouraging to see that, like myself, other men have been influenced by Sir Chris and pushed for a PSA blood test but this isn't enough. We need a national screening process. All I can think about is the fact that my 24-year-old son is now in that high-risk category. There needs to be good measures in place to ensure he is listened to, doesn't have to fight for a PSA blood test and receives proper care and support. My dad's cancer was discovered once it was too late – and the same is true for far too many men across the country. I don't want my son to face the same fate. As told to Ella Nunn
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
How should Britain respond to Trump tariff war? Join The Independent Debate
The US-EU tariff war is heating up, and the UK is caught in the middle. Donald Trump's new 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium have hit British industry, despite hopes that Brexit would protect the UK. While the EU has fought back with counter-tariffs worth €26 billion, the UK has taken a more cautious approach for now. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said Britain won't hesitate to act but that he is focused on negotiating with the US. Supporters, like Marco Forgione of the Chartered Institute of Export, argue this is a smart move to avoid a damaging trade war. But critics, including Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper and steel industry leaders, say Britain is being too soft and must retaliate like the EU to protect jobs. Brexit also plays a role. Some, like Best for Britain's Naomi Smith, believe the UK should strengthen ties with the EU to counter US protectionism. Others insist Brexit was meant to free Britain from EU policies, not tie it closer. Now we want to hear from you. Should the UK hit back like the EU, or is a calm approach better? Has Brexit made Britain stronger in global trade – or more vulnerable? All you have to do is sign up and register your details – then you can take part in the discussion
