Gilly Morgan, 60, was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in 2014 at the age of 49. Fortunately, it was caught early and thanks to successful treatment, he has been living well ever since. Eleven years on, he reveals why he has made it his mission to raise awareness around prostate cancer, particularly among the Black community.
From the age of 40, I had been having health check-ups with my GP once or twice a year. My partner at the time had had her own health issues and was therefore very conscious about regular monitoring. Every six months or so, she would persuade me to see my doctor for a full MOT and blood tests. I was lucky that I had a very good relationship with my GP.
In February 2014, following one of these routine health checks, I was told that a blood test used to check for prostate conditions had revealed that my PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels were raised. The tests from my previous check-up in September 2013 had all been normal so this came as a bit of a surprise to me. But back then, I didn’t really know what this meant.
My doctor told me I had two choices: he could do a quick internal examination then and there, or arrange for me to have further tests at a later date. I asked him what the examination would involve and although it didn’t sound very comfortable, I realised something must be seriously wrong for him to suggest it, so I agreed to have it done. He could immediately feel that something was not right and referred me for more tests and a biopsy.
‘My world fell apart’
I was seen at the hospital within four weeks, and following further checks, I was told I had prostate cancer. At this point, I didn’t really understand what this meant. I didn’t know anything about prostate cancer and had done no research on the subject.
A few weeks later, I received a letter from the urologist explaining that while it had been caught early and the tumour was very small, my prostate cancer was extremely aggressive. Without treatment, there were no guarantees I would live beyond 36 months.
My world fell apart. I had been a happy-go-lucky 49-year-old, but this letter turned my life upside down. I had four kids and a three-year-old grandchild. It was a total shock to face the fact that I could be dead by the age of 52.
Suddenly, my brain went into overdrive. I went to several different urologists and each time, I noticed queues of men waiting outside to be seen. What struck me was that the majority of these men were twenty years older than me. This seemed like a red flag to me. I was aware that there was something seriously wrong with me, but I felt scared about what would happen and what my treatment would involve.
By July, I found a consultant who made me feel comfortable and who gave me confidence that I would be OK. He explained the various treatment options open to me. Knowing how aggressive my cancer was – and preferring not to be treated with toxic chemicals – I chose to have surgery to remove my entire prostate, which took place in September 2014.
The healing process was difficult, but to this day, I am grateful that I was diagnosed early and treated so quickly. The key to fighting this disease is catching it early. I still have regular check-ups with my GP every six months, but my PSA levels have remained low and I feel as healthy as a man half my age.
We urgently need better ways to detect prostate cancer earlier, predict drug resistance, and develop smarter, more personalised treatments. By supporting us today, you can help our scientists make more discoveries and help ensure that every man with prostate cancer can live longer, healthier lives:
‘My dad was too ashamed to admit he had prostate cancer’
Prostate cancer is still very taboo in the Caribbean community – no one talks about it. I have lots of friends and uncles in the community who have been diagnosed and some have died. But still, nobody talks about it. Even my own dad had it, but he was too embarrassed to admit it. When I spoke to him about my own diagnosis, he denied that he had prostate cancer. Even in the last year of his life, he lied to me about his disease. He felt ashamed about it and didn’t want anyone to know. He didn’t understand that he could die from it.
Unlike my dad, I have chosen to deal with my diagnosis by talking openly about it. I am determined to save lives by raising awareness and encouraging men to talk about it.
When I was recovering from my surgery, I was offered a mentor to talk to, a man who had been through a similar experience to me. As a Black man, I wanted to share my experience with other men within my own community. But I was shocked to discover that no one came forward.
I started asking questions, doing some research, I went on the internet. I couldn’t understand why there were no Black men willing to share their experiences with me.
What I discovered surprised me. I was stunned to learn that one in four Black men get prostate cancer, compared to one in eight white men. These statistics buzzed around my head for a long time. I would find myself in pubs and clubs, counting the numbers of Black men I could see and wondering how many of them would be affected by this disease. I would calculate in my head how many of them would probably have prostate cancer just like me. Yet none of them were speaking about it, none of them were getting tested.
Then I stumbled across an organisation called BHA for Equality. A lovely lady there called Donna was looking for Black men to speak openly about their experiences and she encouraged me to do just that.
‘I have saved lives by talking openly about prostate cancer’
Knowing the importance of early diagnosis from my own experience, I decided to make it my mission to raise awareness of prostate cancer among the Black community. I started giving talks in churches, at football games, in barber shops, anywhere that I could get the attention of Black men. I noticed that when I was speaking, lots of the men’s ears would prick up. They were keen to listen, some of them had experienced symptoms, but had not done anything about it. Even though they didn’t want to talk, I felt I was doing some good by getting them to listen. And I know that I have saved lives by talking openly about my own experience.
I remember one night when I was doing a security shift, there was a crowd of rowdy blokes who wouldn’t leave the club. I tried to encourage them to put their drinks down and go home, but they were getting rowdy and starting to fight. Eventually I just said to them ‘have any of you been tested for prostate cancer?’ Suddenly, they all stopped and calmed down. Some of them had family members who had been diagnosed. They were all interested in hearing more and some of them are still in touch with me today.
If I can raise awareness and save lives, I will. Many men, not just Black men, think they can have a check-up every few years and that they will be absolutely fine. But the reality is we should be treating our bodies like our cars. Our cars go for an MOT every year. We should be having regular checks too. I was lucky that my GP was great. But not all doctors are willing to be so helpful. Men need to get themselves tested and they should know that they can insist on it. They should demand a PSA test.
‘Early diagnosis is key to saving lives’
I have lost uncles to prostate cancer. They left it and left it, until it was too late. The cancer was advanced by the time it was found, and it killed them. Men need to understand that early diagnosis is key to saving lives. It doesn’t matter if you are black, white, brown, yellow – every man should be aware.
My journey has not been plain sailing. It has not been perfect. But I know I have been fortunate. Many men have had it much worse than me. Some of my friends have struggled with impotency after their surgeries. But this is still a small price to pay if death is the alternative. Men should not be afraid of having treatment.
I am lucky. I am 60 now but feel as healthy as I did when I was 25 or 30. I lead a healthy lifestyle. I don’t worry any more about my cancer coming back. I am tested regularly, and my PSA levels have remained low for all these years. I look at young men of the next generation and feel hopeful. My three sons have seen me go through it and they have seen that I am fine now. They know that prostate cancer runs in our family and that they need to get tested. Because I have talked about my experience, they understand that they cannot wait for cancer to grow, they need to catch it early to have the best chance of survival.
I wouldn’t be here without cancer research. But we need more research in order for people to live longer. Investigations need to continue because cancer research saves lives. New developments that will help diagnose cancer earlier are paramount. I know from personal experience that early diagnosis is key to saving lives. But we need new types of treatment too so that future generations have a better chance of surviving this disease.
Our pioneering research is transforming the lives of men with prostate cancer. But too many lives are still lost. Donate today to help fund more groundbreaking discoveries – and give hope to every dad, brother, uncle, partner or friend with prostate cancer.