From diagnosis to champion: Scotland’s top senior amateur golf champ’s journey

It was back in December 2021 that Dave and Pete’s prostate cancer story began. At the time they had no idea what was coming - and how it would change their lives forever.

Pete, who had been treated for anaemia four years earlier, had been for a routine blood test. But when the results came back, he was shocked to learn he had an extremely high PSA level of 3,684. He was told he had stage 4 prostate cancer with bone metastasis. And only a few weeks later, he was given just six months to live.

Soon after his diagnosis, Pete found out that men with Black ethnicity and a family history of prostate cancer were at higher risk. And because of their shared Caribbean heritage, Pete's twin brother Dave decided to get checked too.

Pilates and golf: How exercise helped Paul with his side effects of prostate cancer treatment

As a qualified Titleist Performance Institute fitness instructor and Body Control Pilates teacher, Paul had never considered himself to be injury prone. But on his way to victory in golf’s national Order of Merit race - as well as being treated for prostate cancer and a broken hand - he discovered he had a stress fracture in his right knee.

‘You could say that with all that going on, the odds were stacked against me’, said Paul. ‘While it was great that my prostate cancer was diagnosed early, I go through some of the side effects that radiotherapy and hormone therapy can bring, such as hot flushes, weight gain and loss of muscle mass. You sometimes feel that it's not your body anymore!’

Dave’s first PSA blood test showed no signs of concern. Neither did his second test a few months later. But in April 2023 the results of a third test showed a higher than normal PSA level.

“Following further tests, including an MRI scan and a biopsy the day before I went on holiday, I received a diagnosis of stage 2 prostate cancer,” said Dave. “As a family we struggled with the news and everything that was happening. But we tried our best to stay strong.”

Because Dave found his cancer early - before it could spread beyond the prostate - he had a number of treatment options. He chose to have his prostate removed through surgery and, 18 months later, he’s making good progress.

“Opting for removal seemed the best fit for me personally and I’m now doing well,” said Dave. “It was a choice my brother unfortunately never had.”

Paul and his prostate cancer diagnosis

Thankfully, more than two years on from his diagnosis, Pete is still with us. And his positive attitude to navigating prostate cancer has been a source of inspiration to his brother.

That’s why Dave decided to get on his bike and cycle more than 170 miles to raise funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer UK. With incredible support from his local football club, Shrewsbury Town FC, family and friends helped Dave raise £2,400. The twins even appeared together in the club’s matchday programme and shared their story on TV and local radio.

“Currently Pete is facing some challenges,” Dave added. “But his positivity is my motivation to contribute to raising awareness about prostate cancer.

“After the cycle, a Shrewsbury Town supporter approached me before one of the football games. They told me that, due to the media coverage, they’d got tested and were diagnosed with prostate cancer early – which meant it could be treated. We really hope that with the awareness raised, it’s contributed to saving another life.”

Getting more men diagnosed early, just like Dave, could prevent up to 40% of prostate cancer deaths and save thousands of lives every year. And that's exactly what our latest TV advert is all about. Have you seen it yet?

Our advert explains that too many men only get their diagnosis by chance – after it’s spread and when treatment options are limited. It shouldn’t be this way.

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Paul said: ‘I am obviously delighted to have finally won the title and I hope that in some small way my success might offer some hope and inspiration to other men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

‘I would certainly encourage all men over the age of fifty, to be checked for prostate cancer. It’s a simple test and if caught early, the treatment can be very successful, and life can be good. It certainly is for me right now!’

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