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My husband Les was diagnosed with prostate cancer four and a half years ago. Although he had not had any symptoms, he had gone to a mass blood test screening run by our local Lions Club who subsequently informed Les he should see his GP. She referred him to a consultant and within a week he had the results. At the time we thought men could live for years with prostate cancer but, unfortunately, it had already spread.

The treatment kept the cancer under control for several years but last summer it stopped working. By this time, it had spread into Les's bones causing pain and progressive weakness. He also lost height and weight. Our local hospice palliative care team and the district nurses were fantastic in supporting Les and helping to manage the pain. The oncologist tried alternative treatments but none of them had any effect. Eventually there were no more options. Les passed away less than a month after this.

Before he went, I told him that I would like to have my hair cut for charity. He agreed with this, and now I've had it done. The hair itself went to the Little Princess Trust (https://www.littleprincesses.org.uk/) and any donations are going to Prostate Cancer UK who fund research and also raise awareness. If Les had had a blood test earlier the cancer could have been found before it had spread, been treated successfully, and he would still be alive.

If you're a man aged 45 or more, may I urge you to start getting your blood checked regularly to find out your PSA level (Prostate-specific antigen). Ask your GP if they would do the test. It could save your life.

Please give generously and spread the word! Thank you.