Rugby’s Kenny Logan and Craig Chalmers talk prostate cancer, Six Nations and golf

Kenny and Craig, who played together in the Scottish national team for over seven years and remained good friends, have supported each other after being diagnosed with the most common cancer in men. The duo reunited at Beaconsfield Golf Club where they also talked about our Big Golf Race and their predictions for Scotland’s Six Nations match with arch rivals England.

“I knew about prostate cancer, but as a young man, you think you’re untouchable,” said Kenny, 51, who was successfully treated for prostate cancer in 2022.

“My wife, Gabby [Logan], has a podcast, The Midpoint, all about midlife and going through the menopause and I said, ‘Well if you’re going through that, what are men going through?’

“She said, ‘Why don’t you get your hormones tested?’ And I went through that and found out that my PSA was a little high. It was monitored, then a biopsy, then a scan, then six months later I was told I needed to get my prostate taken out.

“One in eight men get prostate cancer, and it’s one in four for Black men. I’d thought the risk was the same for everyone. Hearing that made me realise that the statistics were high.

“When Craig was diagnosed, he came to me because I spoke about my diagnosis quite publicly. He was worried, but had been getting checked regularly. I was positive about it and said it was good he hadn’t waited for symptoms, because that’s a different story.

“I was actually playing golf with Kenny and I said that my PSA was high,” explained Craig, 55. “He was really supportive and all the information he gave me was really important.

“You never think it’s going to happen to you,” he added. “Kenny’s been fantastic. He’s gone through it all.

“My mates look at me and think I’m reasonably fit and healthy but you wouldn’t know. I had no symptoms. The Prostate Cancer UK risk checker is really important – to go through the questions and find out if you’re at risk of prostate cancer. It’s something that everyone should look at and find out where you are. If it says go speak to your GP – go.”

Both big golf fans, Kenny and Craig are backing our Big Golf Race and hope to see even more golfers rounding up their mates and taking on 36 or 72 holes of golf in a day to help save men’s lives.

Kenny said: “When you’re out playing golf, you’re comfortable and can chat and open up to your mates. I didn’t take up golf until I was 14, but I love it. I’ve said that since I recovered from prostate cancer, I want to play more golf and The Big Golf Race is a great challenge.

“Playing that many shots can be numbing for the brain, so having good focus and mindset is important, as well as having a laugh.”

Craig said: “I used to get dropped off by my dad at the golf course and play all day, so I’ve probably already played 72 holes in a day! I hope the challenge raises a lot of money and awareness of prostate cancer.”

And when it comes to the Six Nations, both – unsurprisingly – are backing their home nation ahead of their clash with England this weekend following a narrow victory against Wales in the first round of games and a narrow, controversial loss to France in their second game.

Craig said: “Scotland have beaten England three times out of the last five. They’re strong at the moment, have a lot of continuity and have a good coach, so there’s a good blend there. There’s a real possibility we can win it.”

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