Latest news with #ProstateScotland
The Courier
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Courier
'Dundee FC's prostate cancer programme for football fans helped my recovery'
When Derek Chalmers went to see his GP for an annual health check up he had no idea he was about to find out he had cancer for the second time. The then 70-year-old from Perth had already battled kidney cancer which resulted in one of his kidneys being removed. Then, just four years later, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer following a series of tests. 'In March 2022 I was at the doctor's for an annual well man's check up and I had to have blood and urine samples taken,' he explains. 'The nurse tested my urine and saw there was a trace of blood. 'Then a week later I got a call to say my PSA levels were raised and I had to go for various scans at Ninewells Hospital. 'In April I got my results, which showed I had prostate cancer. 'I am very lucky though because it was caught in the early stages and it was contained within the prostate.' The diagnosis came as a blow after having beaten the disease once already. But after radiotherapy treatment, the retired sales manager – who is now 73 – discovered a new health and fitness programme. It proved to be a game-changer in his recovery. 'I saw an article in The Courier about the Prostate FFIT course which was taking place at McDiarmid Park, Perth in June last year,' he says. 'It was something I wanted to try. 'A good friend of mine had also had prostate cancer, so we decided to sign up and do it together.' Prostate FFIT (Football Fans In Training) is a free 13-week health and wellbeing programme. It has been designed especially for men affected by prostate cancer. And this Thursday, May 29 it is coming to Dundee for the first time since launching in 2023. Delivered by community coaches from Dundee FC Community Trust, the weekly sessions are taking place at Dundee and Angus College's Gardyne Campus from 11am to 12.30pm. Each session is split into two halves – group learning and tailored exercise – designed to support men during and after prostate cancer treatment. Prostate FFIT was developed in line with clinical guidelines recommending a structured exercise programme for men with prostate cancer. It was created by Prostate Scotland in partnership with the SPFL Trust, the University of Glasgow Health and Wellbeing Institute, and The Exercise Clinic, alongside clinicians and men living with the condition. Since 2023, over 160 men have completed the programme at Tynecastle, Ibrox Stadium, Rugby Park, McDiarmid Park and Pittodrie. Throughout the course men can not only improve their fitness. But they can also get help with the side effects of cancer treatment and gain advice on nutrition to eat more healthily. Prostate Scotland's cancer exercise specialist, Gregor Cranston says: 'We teach simple exercises that can be used at home and gradually build up. 'Being fitter can help men prepare for surgery and improve recovery and manage side effects – it may even reduce the chance of the cancer coming back.' After taking part in Prostate FFIT, participants have reported an improvement in their fitness and increased confidence. They have made changes to their diet, have better mental health and made lasting friendships with others on the course. These are benefits Derek has experienced. 'I learned more about food, including how certain types can support prostate health,' he says. 'But what I liked the most was the fitness part of it. 'We played five-a-side football, softball and lifted weights. We also did sit ups and press ups. 'I definitely felt fitter by the end of it – I lost between seven and eight pounds in weight. 'It was also good to meet other guys who had prostate cancer and talk about our experiences. 'You realise you're not alone.' So much so, that Derek says the group still meets monthly for coffee. He adds: 'I got so much out of it – the programme really was first class. I would definitely recommend it to others.' Derek's comments are echoed by fellow course participant and prostate cancer survivor Frank Hughes from Tayport. Frank, 65, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the summer of 2023. He learned about Prostate FFIT after having treatment which included radiotherapy, hormone therapy and a new drug approved for NHS use in 2021. Like Derek, he took part in the course at McDiarmid Park. He says: 'Prostate FFIT gave me structure, motivation and a group of guys who just got it. 'There was no pressure – it was all tailored to what we could manage. 'We laughed, we supported each other, and we got fitter together. It really gave me my confidence back.' The boss of Dundee FC Community Trust is proud to be delivering the programme for the first time in the city. Laura Costello, manager at Dundee FC Community Trust, says: 'This programme is a fantastic opportunity for men affected by prostate cancer to come together in a safe, supportive space. 'It's not about how fit you are to begin with – it's about taking small, positive steps with people who understand what you're going through.' Elaine Stewart, services development manager at Prostate Scotland, adds: 'You don't need to be sporty – this is about coming together, supporting one another and finding strength as a group. 'Everyone is welcome to come along.' Men in Tayside interested in joining the FFIT programme in Dundee are invited to register here
Edinburgh Live
22-05-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh man urges others to get tested after diagnosis while 'fit and healthy'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An Edinburgh grandad and keen golfer is urging men to go to their GP - after being floored by a cancer diagnosis. Kenny Livingston made an appointment for a check-up after a close friend was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He had no symptoms, and describes himself as 'fit and healthy'. Kenny, who plays golf at least twice a week, was completely blindsided by his own diagnosis - and wants men who are 50 and over to get checked as soon as they can. The 68-year-old, from Corstorphine, is 'glad he caught it early' and had a procedure to remove the prostate. A few years after the operation, Kenny received a call while on the golf course telling him the cancer had returned. Through radiotherapy, doctors have managed to control it. Now, Kenny has raised over £21,000 for Prostate Scotland as he looks to spread the message of early testing. Speaking to Edinburgh Live, he said: "Back in 2019, one of my best friends had sent a message to all his pals saying that he had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He said you all need to go and get a check-up. "He had no symptoms, and I thought, well there's no harm in doing it. I was 62 at the time. "They said if you're over 4 nanograms per millilitre of Prostate Specific Antigen, you've maybe got an issue, and that was something like 4.9. I went back a month later and it was now down to 4.5. Still getting close, but not quite 4. "It lasted about four months and I got down to 4.1 and the doctor said to me, I'm actually going to not refer to you. I said, Well, I've gone this far, is it worth getting a check-up in the hospital? "And then the rest was history because I was diagnosed probably within a month once I got a biopsy that I had prostate cancer. I caught it very early, which was good, it was more of a shock because you know I kept thinking that cancer is when something is wrong with you. This felt very silent. I just didn't know what was going on." Kenny had his prostate removed in an operation, and was told the 'theory' was that once it was out - the cancer would go with it. Following the procedure at Christmas time in 2019, he was in 'good health'. He continued: "I had great support from my family, hospital staff were good as well. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "The prostate was removed, straightforward operation - not nice - but obviously something you just have to go through with. Recovery was slow, but it was all good. I got quarterly and six monthly check-ups. "I remember I was on the golf course. It was maybe three years later, and I got a message from the doctors asking me to give them a call. So I stopped in the middle of the golf course and I phoned and they said, listen, you seem to have got some other lymph nodes that have got some cancer in them. "I thought, how can that be possible when they removed it? They said sometimes things just happen to stay around." Kenny was told he could go through radiotherapy 'in his own time'. He began the treatment in January 2023. He added: "I think it was 22 sessions, which sounds a lot, and it was Monday to Friday, but it was very, very quick. "I was lucky if I was in for about, you know, probably five minutes in the theatre, but you have to prepare for it. Then since then I've been getting my six monthly check-ups and they're fine. I think the hospital are sick of seeing me, but I need to go every six months and I think my PSA is something like 0.001 - so if it goes up at all its an issue. "You always have concerns in the back of your mind before you go for your check-up, you and that's that's not a nice feeling. But at the end of the day it's something I'm quite positive about, and I've had no issues again, so, so fingers crossed I'm going to keep getting checked and I'll be fine." While Kenny is now out the other side, he feels strongly that getting tested early could have saved his life. He told us: "In my experience when I went for my biopsy, there was probably eight other men at the same time getting it, and I was by far the youngest. The rest of them looked as if they were in their 80s. "I would say anybody over 50, it costs you nothing. you've got to go and get it done. It's a silent illness, which means nobody knows what you've got inside you. Nobody knows when it's going to come up and attack you. "I think there's a lot of people now who are getting prostate cancer at an early age, but my belief is if you can get that scene too early, there's a very, very good chance of success rate. "I want to enjoy my life. I've got children, I've got grandchildren. I want to see them grow up. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. "I would say I'm quite fit and healthy. I still go to the gym. I play golf twice a week. My wife would probably say my diet is not brilliant, but I'd say I'm in good shape for a 68-year-old and I'm not sure I would be if I hadn't done that test six years ago." Kenny spent eight months putting together a charity dinner for Prostate Scotland, which raised over £21,000. He added: "It probably took me the best part of eight months to prepare, so a lot of work involved in it. "We had the dinner in February this year, and it was close to 300 people at Tynecastle, which was a lot of people as well, so it was good money for Heart and Midlothian. Before the event I was probably quite keen to maybe raise about maybe 8,000, so I never in any wildest dreams thought I could get to you as much as 21,000. That was just amazing." Prostate Scotland charity bosses said the disease is the most common cancer among men in the country. They added: "Whilst the number of people diagnosed with prostate cancer in Scotland is increasing, so have survival rates, especially when symptoms have been recognised, an early diagnosis made and treatment started. "Worryingly though, not all men will have any symptoms in the early stages. Some men may have this condition in later years without it leading to any problems. "As men get older, the risk of developing prostate cancer increases. Before 40, it's very uncommon, but by the age of 80, 80% of men will have some cancerous cells in their prostate, although most of these men will never need treatment and some will never know anything about it." You can find out more on the Prostate Scotland site here.
