Martin has been involved in patient advocacy since his diagnosis, recognising the impact that prostate cancer can have on not only the person diagnosed but also on their partners and loved ones. He lives daily with the challenging side effects of his own treatment and is very passionate about patient quality of life with an emphasis on mental health and sexual wellbeing.

Martin’s story

“Getting the news in 2015 that I had prostate cancer was a huge shock. I was aged 49, was very fit and active, and had no symptoms or other medical issues. The diagnosis came because of a PSA blood test and subsequent scans and exams.

Fortunately, the cancer was contained within the prostate. However, I really didn’t deal well with things initially and felt very confused, afraid, and isolated.

Access to cancer support services like ARC and the Marie Keating Foundation was a great help to me at this time. My partner Wallace was also a great support, and we researched what we could online, and I discussed things with my consultant, but I realise now that I may have rushed into deciding on treatment, without having all the facts in front of me, because all I could think of was getting the cancer out of my body.

Crucially, I didn’t fully consider the impact that my treatment was going to have on Wallace, something I deeply regret. I opted for a radical prostatectomy, involving the removal of the prostate completely. The procedure went well, and the cancer was successfully removed.

That was a huge relief.

A few months after treatment, my mental health began to suffer. The after-effects of the surgery were much worse that I had expected, and I had difficulties with urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction, problems which unfortunately continue to this day. This also has had a significant impact on Wallace’s quality of life, and he has been amazing in how he has walked beside me all the way.

I received medical treatment and counselling for depression at that difficult time and can honestly say that things are much better now. I dedicate much of my time now to prostate cancer patient advocacy, involving myself in peer support, in raising awareness of unmet needs of patients and their partners, and in advocating for better information and care to be available to all men and their partners from the point of diagnosis of this much misunderstood disease.

I’m very proud to be co-leading a major research project, PRO-ACT, along with Dr. Paul Kelly, Radiation Oncologist. This research examines the sexual wellbeing and mental health impact of prostate cancer treatment on men and their partners, and data will be published very soon. It is being run by Cancer Trials Ireland, with support from Irish Cancer Society. I’m very committed to patient advocacy, and overall PPI (patient and public involvement) in the Irish healthcare system.

I found out long after my diagnosis that it was significant that my father had been diagnosed with prostate cancer when he was in his 70s, and indeed that his father, my grandfather, had died from prostate cancer. I would advise anyone with a family history of prostate cancer to tell their GP, because early detection is key.”

He was informed that he had a very enlarged prostate and was given medication to relax the prostate muscles. At no stage was he given any indication that he should be concerned about cancer. He moved to Dublin in 2024 assuming he had taken the right measures and that the medication would fix any issues. Unfortunately, this was not the case.

Phiri’s story:

I started to experience urine constriction in May 2023 in South Africa. I consulted a Private Urologist at Wits Donald Gordon Private Hospital in Johannesburg, and
I was advised that my prostate was overgrown and an MRI scan was needed to determine the condition of my prostate. I could not do this privately due to financial constraints.

Then I went to Helen Joseph public hospital. They found that my prostate was three times bigger than they would expect to see in a normal prostate. The hospital just prescribed medications to relax the prostate muscles. The hospital did not
tell me that my prostate was cancerous. So, I thought that was that. I could move on with my life.

I moved to Dublin in March 2024 and the problem (urine constriction) was becoming progressively worse and causing a lot of stress and discomfort. I was referred to Beaumont Hospital and was examined by Mr. Richard Power. I showed him all the documentation obtained from Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg.
Mr. Richard Power examined my entire urinary tract- Kidneys, bladder, ureters. He also discovered that my PSA was sitting at 19 or so, which was quite a concern.
He recommended that I should submit a prostate biopsy to determine the possibility of cancer.

The results came out in January 2025, and I was found with Stage 2 Prostate with a Gleeson scale of 3+4 on the left hand and 4+3 on the right-hand side.
I had a robotic prostatectomy performed on 14 February 2025 and it was thankfully
successful.

It has been a mentally and emotionally challenging time and very lonely. To recover and live after the surgery without my family’s support has been very difficult. My wife, son and brothers are all in South Africa and it has been very tough on them too, knowing what I have gone through.

The biggest challenge I have encountered post-surgery has been incontinence. I have managed this and am glad to say it has subsided greatly over time.
Beaumont Hospital is still monitoring my condition twice in year just to check if there is anything that needs to be attended to and to ensure I remain cancer free.
I am now able to perform any duties without hindrances and I feel very healthy!
Due to these experiences that I went through, I feel, I need to be in the forefront to talk about this ordeal and encourage others to have prostate checks regularly. Men need to be proactive when it comes to their prostate health, speak more openly about it and seek support.

I went through a challenging time, but I have come out the other side and feel strong and healthy. I am living well after prostate cancer and prostate surgery.