Greenisland man tells of cancer journey

Ken McBride’s life changed dramatically in January 2015 when he was given the devastating news that he had cancer.

“I had known for months something was wrong, as I had been getting up around six or seven times at night to visit the toilet,” said Ken. “Sometimes I felt a real urgency but when I went to the toilet, nothing happened.

“I saw the urologist in November 2014 and during December had further tests and scans. Obviously this was on my mind all over Christmas that year.”

Ken was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer, which fortunately had not spread.

However, he was told by his oncologist that had he delayed seeking help, the outlook could have been very different.

In a gesture of gratitude to all those who helped him through his cancer journey, the Greenisland man is backing Cancer Research UK’s latest campaign, ‘Right Now’. “Many people like me have to face their own cancer journey every day. I’m urging people across Northern Ireland to take action right now to help fund vital research which will help more people beat this devastating disease,” Ken said.

The charity is one of the main funders of the Stampede Trial, a major prostate cancer study in which Ken was involved. A spokesperson for the charity said: “We are so indebted to the contribution of patients like Ken. Without this, cancer research trials would not be possible.”