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The Irish Sun

I had routine blood test but got out-of-the-blue diagnosis with no signs before 2nd devastating shock 6 months later

PHARMACY technician Mark McCormick went for a routine blood test but went on to get a shock diagnosis that affects thousands of Irish each year, admitting: "It wasn't on my radar." The dad-of-four, originally from Advertisement 4 Mark McCormick was surprised by the results of a routine blood test 4 Although Mark had no symptoms, there are a number of signs to watch out for Mark's diagnosis came totally out of the blue, having gone to his GP for blood tests relating to a totally separate condition. He told the Irish Sun: "I was diagnosed with prostate "I had gone to my GP for a routine six-month blood test for an unrelated medical condition, and I was very surprised when I received a call from my GP to tell me that my PSA or Prostate-Specific Antigen levels were alarmingly elevated. Advertisement "He referred me to the Rapid Action Prostate Cancer Clinic at the Mater Hospital in "I had no symptoms of prostate cancer and it wasn't even on my radar. "Although I was aware of prostate cancer symptoms, they are very subtle, making it hard to detect." Now 58-years-old, Mark is urging men to get "checked regularly" after being "caught off guard" by his diagnosis. He continued: "This is why men need to be proactive and have their PSA levels checked regularly, especially once they reach the age of 50. It completely caught me off guard. Advertisement "At the Rapid Action Clinic, I underwent an MRI which revealed that I had a tumour and two growths in my prostate. This was very surprising. "Following the MRI, I had a biopsy, which confirmed that the tumour and growths were cancerous. In July 2023, I underwent surgery to remove the tumour." Nearly half of men have no idea where the prostate is During the surgery, doctors made another discovery. Mark said: "Unfortunately, it was discovered that the cancer had spread to my tailbone. This was shocking because my PSA levels had been fine just months before. "Thankfully, the care I received was excellent, and things moved quickly. In September 2023, I underwent radiotherapy to treat the cancer in my tailbone." Advertisement 'DEVASTATING SHOCK' However, Mark's scans in December 2023 revealed further complications. He said: "When I saw my oncologist in January 2024, I was informed that the cancer had spread to multiple areas, including my bones, pelvis, and hip. "It was now classified as Stage 4 cancer, which was a devastating shock. "In February 2024, I started chemotherapy, but I had an allergic reaction during the first session and ended up in hospital for a week. "We attempted chemotherapy again in March and April 2024, but I experienced allergic reactions both times, which meant I could no longer proceed with chemotherapy. Advertisement "Since then, I have been on hormone treatment to prevent the spread of the cancer. "This worked well until December 2024, when scans revealed active cancer in my right hip and lower back." Mark continues to undergo treatments aimed at managing the disease and improving his quality of life. He added: "In February 2025, I underwent further radiotherapy to target those areas. "Then in May 2025, I had a procedure called a rhizotomy, which is a nerve block treatment. Advertisement "This was initially done on my hip, followed by my spine a few weeks later. "At the moment, my prostate cancer is being managed, and we're trying to minimise its spread while I get on with life." Despite his diagnosis, Mark told how he likes to keep busy and owns Dodder Park Allcare Pharmacy in Rathfarnham, Dublin. He said: "On a day-to-day basis, I do try to work every day. It's very important for me to keep some normality in my life. "Prostate cancer isn't like some other cancers - you can live for many years with it if it is managed well by your oncology team." Advertisement 'GREAT HELP' Mark also told how he has received "great support" from the Irish Cancer Society. He added: "Their support line and Daffodil Centres are invaluable resources, offering knowledge, counselling, and advice. "They've been a great help to me." SYMPTOMS OF PROSTATE CANCER ACCORDING to the Irish Cancer Society, about 4,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in Ireland. This means that one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Prostate cancer can be deadly, partly because it often has no noticeable symptoms in the early stages, making it difficult to detect until it has spread. Symptoms usually only appear once the cancer has grown large enough to put pressure on the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the penis (urethra). There are seven symptoms of the disease - many of which could be overlooked: Needing to pee more frequently, often during the night Needing to rush to the toilet Difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy) Straining or taking a long time while peeing Weak flow Feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully Blood in urine or blood in semen It's important to note these symptoms don't always mean you have prostate cancer. Many men's prostates get larger as they get older because of a non-cancerous condition called benign prostate enlargement. Mark is urging Irish men to take control of their health through regular PSA testing. He said: "Prostate cancer is a growing issue, and men need to become more proactive in getting their PSA levels checked every six months once they reach the age of 50. It's such a simple blood test, but it's vital. Advertisement "The first test establishes a baseline, which helps your GP monitor any changes over time. "Early detection is key, as prostate cancer is very treatable when caught early." Mark believes a nationwide screening programme would help to combat the disease. He said: "There is a pilot screening programme for prostate cancer in Tallaght and St Vincent's hospitals. However, I believe this should be rolled out nationwide. "The Irish Cancer Society is lobbying the government with a pre-budget submission to make this happen. Advertisement "A national screening programme, similar to breast screening and bowel screening programmes, could prevent many cancers from developing. "Men in Ireland need help, and this campaign is essential. "Prostate cancer awareness and screening are crucial, and I strongly believe that a nationwide programme could make a significant difference." Former US president He was seen by doctors after suffering urinary symptoms, with a prostate nodule, or firm area, later being found. Advertisement He was then diagnosed with prostate cancer on May 16, with the cancer cells having spread to the bone. While it is a more "aggressive" form of the disease which is "likely to grow quickly", the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, meaning there is the prospect of "effective management". 4 Former US president Joe Biden was diagnosed with the illness in May Credit: � 2024 PA Media, All Rights Reserved 4 Prostate cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide, and the second in men Credit: Getty