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Patient turns campaigner after prostate cancer diagnosis
Mr Dave Young, a patient from Lakeside Healthcare at St Neots, has become a seasoned campaigner, raising awareness around prostate cancer, after he was diagnosed with the condition.
Two years ago, a chance remark from his father-in-law led to him requesting a blood test, which showed elevated prostate specific antigens (PSA) levels. Although there can be many reasons for this, further tests confirmed the disease, despite Dave having had no symptoms.
His experience has been so life-changing that he now campaigns to raise awareness among men, particularly those in middle age and above, so they can consider getting a PSA test themselves.
He has spoken to men’s groups, been interviewed on radio and television and has organised PSA testing events at Lakeside Healthcare at St Neots where hundreds of men have been tested, with another, which is fully booked, taking place on 5 September.
Dave said: ‘I was just getting on with life but at the beginning of 2024, my partner’s dad came round. He had had prostate cancer about 12 years before. He happened to say “have you had a PSA test?” which I hadn’t.’
Dave saw a GP for something else a week later and, by chance, asked about the PSA test. Despite his answers to the standard screening questions being negative, the GP put him through for a PSA test, which showed raised levels. A month later they had increased which started the investigation process which included an examination, MRI scan and biopsy.
‘I received the words that nobody wants to hear … “I am sorry to tell you you have prostate cancer. There are no words that I can say to explain that feeling. Your mind is blown. You are thinking about your family and grandchildren … Am I going to die?’
Further scans showed the cancer hadn’t spread and so, after having radiotherapy and hormone injections, Dave’s PSA levels are now at 0.01 which means the cancer is undetectable.
‘Had I left it just 12 months, because it was a very aggressive cancer, we could have been talking about a very different outcome. If you a white man aged 50 and above I strongly advise that you contact your GP and ask for a PSA test. If you are a black man of 45 plus, I would suggest the same. Black men are twice as likely to get prostate cancer as white men. Go and get yourself tested. Just because you are feeling fine doesn’t mean you are fine.
‘When I received the good news I had two choices. I stay quiet, get on with the rest of my life and think that I was lucky or I take another decision where I tell my story because I want other men to get lucky too. That really was the beginning of my campaign.’
He told his story on Black Cat Radio: ‘It really was one of the most emotional interviews I have ever done. People were pulling over in the cars and making themselves late for work listening to this story. It was really raw. That was the beginning and it just grew and grew. ITV Anglia got involved and we were on primetime news.’
He is a seasoned advocate for PSA testing. ‘With the help of Lakeside Healthcare I put on two events where 240 men were tested on two Saturdays. It is something that I personally am very proud of. I am glad I done it.
‘The message that I get from men, wives, girlfriends, telling me if it wasn’t for your campaign things would have been very, very different. so that is really what has driven me.
‘Go and get tested. I know it can be stressful but 12,000 men die a year from prostate cancer in the UK. It is a large number and for something that is highly treatable in the early stages. That is the real takeaway. It is not often that you really get to make a difference, and I feel that this campaign has.’
Published: Sep 3, 2026