Cancer survivors urge men to get checked amid charity hike
Castle Green Homes, based in St Asaph, North Wales, has chosen Prostate Cancer UK as one of the beneficiaries of its latest fundraiser—a Three Peaks Challenge—after two of its employees, David Ralph and Alan Wilson, were diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The challenge, taking place on June 26, will raise money for Prostate Cancer UK, mental health charity Chasing the Stigma, and Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue.
Mr Ralph, a development engineer from Chester, experienced difficulty passing urine for 12 months before seeking medical advice.
He said: "I'd often take several minutes to commence or choosing to wait for a cubicle to save the embarrassment of standing at a urinal for several minutes with nothing moving.
"After managing my condition for a while, I arranged for a PSA check and physical examination in July 2024.
"I wish I'd acted sooner on my symptoms.
"I now tell all male friends and acquaintances to get checked out.
"There's often misconceived stigma for a guy to get checked out—but ultimately a five-minute doctor's visit can really make a difference."
An MRI and biopsy revealed prostate cancer in September 2024, with a Gleason score of (3+4)=7.
Mr Ralph chose to undergo a radical prostatectomy in January 2025.
He said: "I considered this to be a better option to prevent future spread outside of the prostate.
"It is possible to live a full normal life without a prostate."
Post-surgery tests confirmed the cancer was contained and had not spread.
Mr Ralph now has regular blood tests as part of his aftercare.
He said: "Men often don't talk about their health or like me, leave it a little while until they do something about it.
"The cancer may have been there for several years but without the initial PSA check that can be arranged with your GP, the results would not have been known that triggered the treatment.
"My message is simple—please get yourself checked out with a PSA test from your GP."
Alan Wilson, a construction director from Moreton in Wirral, was also diagnosed with prostate cancer last year and opted for a prostatectomy.
Mr Wilson said: "Such a simple PSA test could possibly save someone's life.
"People need to insist on the blood test."
Both men will support their colleagues as they take on the Three Peaks Challenge later this month.
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