A light-hearted joke during a lads’ holiday led two Surrey brothers to discover their prostate cancer, prompting timely surgeries
Surrey: Two brothers, Keith and Alan, found themselves in a life-changing situation. A joke during a lads’ holiday led them to get tested for prostate cancer. They both ended up needing surgery just months apart.
Keith, 68, and Alan, 66, had their operations at the same hospital. They were lucky to catch the cancer early. Alan’s decision to get tested came after a funny comment about older men needing to use the bathroom more often.
Alan shared a cabin on a ferry with friends. They laughed about how often they got up at night. That joke made him think about his health. He asked for a PSA test, which checks for prostate issues. Even though he felt fine, the results shocked him.
After Alan’s diagnosis, Keith decided to get tested too. He had previously battled skin cancer, so he understood the importance of early detection. Both brothers had the same surgeon, Dr. Wissam Abou-Chedid, who performed their surgeries.
Keith felt grateful for Alan’s decision to get tested. He said, “If he hadn’t decided to get tested, neither of us would have known we had cancer.” They both felt lucky to have caught it before it spread.
Prostate cancer can be sneaky. It often shows no symptoms early on. Their family history also played a role, as their father had prostate issues. The doctor emphasized that having a family member with prostate cancer increases your risk.
Mr. Abou-Chedid advised anyone with a family history to talk to their GP. Early detection can make a huge difference, just like it did for these two brothers.
