Phil Kissi, 68, was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in 2006. Thanks to early diagnosis and successful surgery, he has no evidence of disease today. He explains why greater awareness around prostate cancer and scientific advances make him feel confident about the future.
In 2006, I took a day of annual leave from my busy job in the civil service to spend some time at home with my then fiancée (who is now my wife). I don’t normally watch much television, but that day, we turned on the TV and started watching an episode of the BBC’s documentary series, City Hospital.
The episode focused specifically on men’s health and in particular featured two prostate cancer patients. One had gone through testing, and his cancer had been diagnosed early. The cancer was contained within his prostate, and he underwent immediate surgery to remove it. The second man had been experiencing symptoms for a while but had left it too late. By the time he was diagnosed, his cancer had spread to his bones, and his prognosis was not very good.
At that time, I had never really heard of prostate cancer, but the stories in the programme really hit home. At the end of the episode, there was a message that came up on screen, asking anyone who had been affected by the programme or who wanted further information to call a number.
I did that and spoke to a lovely specialist nurse. She asked me lots of questions about myself and my family history. At that time, I was unaware that my father and both my grandfathers had had prostate cancer, but I did mention to her that they had all had problems with urination and carried bottles around with them. Based on this information and the fact that I was a Black male, she suggested I visit my GP as I was likely to be at a higher risk of getting prostate cancer. When I reflect back on it now, this was lifesaving advice.
‘We were in a race against time’
My GP was very supportive. By the time I went to see him, I had spoken to my uncle in Ghana who confirmed that my father and both grandfathers had had issues with their prostate. The GP therefore considered me to be in a vulnerable group due to my family history and agreed to me having a PSA test. The results came back slightly raised but below the margin for concern, and since I had no symptoms, he suggested we simply watch and wait, with a plan to re-test again at a later date.
A few weeks later, having done some research into prostate cancer, I was still concerned and returned to the GP. He was surprised to see me but could see that I was worried. I asked him for another blood test and a biopsy. He carried out an internal exam which was normal but agreed to send me for a second PSA test and biopsy.
A few weeks later, I received a letter from the hospital asking me to come in. I had a feeling something was not quite right. During my biopsy, they had taken 14 tissue samples and I had heard the nurse mention ‘black spots’. My brain had been overthinking this ever since and I had a hunch that something was wrong.
I went to my appointment with the urologist. I am usually very good at reading the room and immediately had a sense that this was not going to be good. The consultant told me that he had good news and bad news. The bad news was that I had prostate cancer and it was an aggressive type. The good news was that he thought it was all contained within my prostate. However, due to the aggressive nature of the disease, we were in a race against time.
The urologist suggested robotic surgery to remove my prostate. This would be the best way of ensuring the cancer did not spread and would reduce the risk of any nerve damage. He offered me a few days to reflect on what I wanted to do. I just wanted to get on with the treatment – I didn’t need to think about it.
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‘I cancelled my wedding and wrote my Will instead’
My diagnosis was an enormous shock. I had been planning on getting married at the time, but suddenly I was worrying that I might die. I cancelled the wedding, not wanting to put my fiancée in that position, and wrote my Will instead. I had to be realistic about things, and the focus for me at that point was fighting the disease. I had to follow medical advice to stand the best chance of beating this.
Of course, your life flashes before you when you get a diagnosis like that. I was at the top of my career in the civil service, about to get married. I could not believe that this was happening to me at this stage of my life. I contacted my ex-wife and made arrangements for my two sons. Everyone around me was utterly shocked. Nobody could understand how I could have cancer when I was so fit and healthy and didn’t seem unwell at all.
Over the next few months, I had a series of different tests to make sure the cancer had not spread - bone scans, brain scans and tissue samples were taken. Then, I had my surgery.
Immediately after my operation, the surgeon came to my bedside and gave me a high-five. He was certain that they had managed to remove every bit of the cancer and that I would not need any further treatment. It was a celebration. I felt incredibly relieved, but I knew that there was still a period of uncertainty to follow. I was regularly monitored for another couple of years but have thankfully been cancer-free ever since.
I rescheduled my wedding and got married in September 2008, with my surgeon and specialist nurse present as guests.
‘Greater awareness and scientific research means there is hope’
Following my surgery, I had some issues with incontinence, but this was a small price to pay to be alive. Last year, I had an operation to resolve it, and I no longer suffer with this problem. I feel lucky to be here. You cannot put a price on your life.
Before my diagnosis, prostate cancer had never been talked about in my family. I have been the flag-bearer, determined to speak out about it and raise awareness within my family and beyond. My message has always been that men need to get tested; there is nothing to be ashamed about. My two sons are educated about prostate cancer and they have been regularly tested. It has been important to me to make sure they are aware. You can’t hide away and ignore the risks of this disease, otherwise you risk dying.
I feel confident about the future and believe the battle with prostate cancer will get easier and easier for all men over time. Greater awareness around the disease and new scientific research in this area means there is more hope for men going forward. It has also been great that so many public figures have opened up about their prostate cancer diagnoses – and encouraged men to get tested.
I am determined to continue raising awareness about the need for men to get tested. Early diagnosis gives you a better chance of survival.
Cancer research is extremely important. Trying to find new drugs to either make patients comfortable or find a cure are vital. I was lucky – my cancer hadn’t spread and I didn’t need any further treatment after my surgery. But I know that there would have been drugs available to me had I needed them – and these only exist thanks to research. There is a jigsaw of information to uncover when it comes to cancer, and thanks to research, we are able to understand more and piece it all together to help patients live better and longer.
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.