EVERY hour at least one man dies from prostate cancer. As Prostate Cancer Awareness Week gets under way CHARLOTTE PERCIVAL talks to a North Yorkshire man who has fought the disease for nine years.

BRYAN METCALF had been suffering from urinary infections for ten years before a urologist suspected he had cancer.

His urethra was sore, he had difficulty urinating, and he was starting to suffer aches and pains all over his body.

But it was not until his prostate was examined that tests revealed the news that Bryan, 58, and his wife Maureen had feared.

"They said I could have surgery or radiotherapy, but as the cancer was close to the urethra, radiotherapy could cause lots of problems," said Bryan. "I was down to one choice."

Bryan, of Hambleton, near Selby, underwent surgery, but as the cancer was fibrous and close to the urethra, it was difficult to remove it all.

His condition was monitored for four years, before he tried hormone manipulation therapy, a vaccination trial and low-dose chemotherapy.

It was then doctors realised that one of his kidneys was not working properly and this year, after more tests, they discovered a re-growth of prostate cancer.

As Bryan prepares for a course of radiotherapy, he wants to warn other men to look out for the signs.

He said: "The thing about prostate cancer is some people don't have to do anything about it other than keep an eye on it for many years, which is called active monitoring.

"But other people need a cure and if that works then they might not have to go back for treatment ever again, just once a year for a blood test.

"People need to get the cancer when it's in the early stages, when you can monitor it, when you can get the option of a cure.

"If that's one possibility or if it's escaped from the prostate but still quite low, then perhaps you can put the brakes on it.

"The worst time for people to find out is when it starts to affect the bones or the brain, when they've got full blown secondary cancer."

Although Bryan is about to undergo more treatment, he is enjoying his work as a parish council clerk and runs a support group for other people affected by the condition.

"Life is good, I'm enjoying it," he said. "I've got a six-year-old granddaughter who is a great joy to us, and I really appreciate my life. There are little humps and bumps along the way, but the future is good."

For information about Bryan's email support service or the York Prostate Cancer Support Group, email bryan.metcalf@virgin.net or phone 01757 228394.

Updated: 10:14 Monday, March 21, 2005