After his 40th birthday, in early July 2022, Adam Thompson decided to go and get a health check-up. “I just wanted a basic check-up, make sure everything was in order. I wanted to get my bloods done and asked if my PSA could be checked. The GP didn’t think the PSA was necessary, he said I was too young but I had noticed I was going to the toilet more often and pushed him to do the check for peace of mind.”

Adam’s grandad had previously gotten the all-clear from prostate cancer, but it had only recently come back in summer 2021. “I had seen him suffering with what he was going through and it made me think about the symptoms. I would be out with friends for a few drinks and I’d be going the toilet more often than them and then getting up to go twice during the night. I’m glad I pushed for the PSA because when it came back, I was at 3.3 when someone my age should be between 0.1 and 1.5.”

After further consultations and tests with a urologist, in September 2022, Adam was told he was being put forward for an MRI but given his age, he would be a low priority. “Two weeks before Christmas I w in for my MRI, so I was waiting 2/3 months to be seen. Once the results came back in the New Year, there was a slight grey area and again, the medical team didn’t fear the worst but said they’d send me for a biopsy to get checked out as a precaution more than anything. That happened in February 2023. I was told they’d be back to me in 6 weeks, but one week later I got a call and that’s when I got the news that I had prostate cancer.”

Reflecting on his experience, Adam says he found the invasive nature of the tests and scans difficult to deal with. “Looking back at it all now, the whole experience was quite unpleasant. Maybe there needs to be better education out there on the tests and what you have to go through because, for me, I think if I was better prepared, I might have dealt with it better. There was one day, for example, where I met my surgeon in the morning and the oncologist in the afternoon and both carried out what’s called a DRE – Digital Rectal Examination. This involves them having to put their fingers up your bum, which as you can imagine, is uncomfortable and embarrassing but to have it done twice in the same day, it just felt a little violating.”

Further, when it came to accessing support, Adam found it difficult to find advice and information for younger men in their 40s. “A lot of what’s out there is geared towards maybe the typical prostate cancer patient or survivor who is an older man, but for me, I’m still relatively young, I have my two young children, I have a healthy relationship with my wife and all of this was turned upside down by cancer. Getting back to normal and being yourself again, I have found that all quite difficult. Thankfully, through reaching out to the Irish Cancer Society to share my story, I was then contacted by their Support Line and I've used their free counselling service, which I have found hugely helpful.”

Adam is sharing his story to encourage more men to talk about their health and to encourage men of all ages to take their health seriously. “We need to talk a lot more. Even my own circle now, my family, friends and work colleagues, all are so much more aware of prostate cancer and staying on top of your health, which is brilliant. That’s what I’m hoping to get out of sharing my experience, that even if just one person reads my story and says okay, my next birthday, I’m getting a check-up, that would be worth me sharing what I’ve gone through.