As a Prostate Cancer survivor, due to early detection, I really want to promote and post about the absolute importance of the Prostate Cancer initiative that ICT have got involved with.

I lost an uncle (in Inverness) due to this condition because it was detected too late and my doctor (in Toronto) sent me for a test because of his death. I was 52 at the time and conventional thinking said it was "too early" for me to be affected by PC or even that other favourite as you get older, an enlarged prostate. Fast forward a few weeks and after a reading that was too high, and a biopsy that followed, I was going under the knife to remove the cancer that had been confirmed. Early detection meant a good prognosis and although I now need to have checks regularly - which are simple and easy blood tests - the alternative does not bear thinking about.

The club sent out a press release today with an invite for the media to come along and publicise this event, and that reminded me I had not made any comment yet so here is my tuppence worth as this is a subject that is very close to home and of which I have personal experience. I would urge anyone who has any symptoms, or who has a family history to go get tested. For me, looking back, the only real symptom I missed was that I was having to pee more frequently, especially if I was drinking carbonated drinks like Coke or Irn Bru, or alcoholic drinks like beer! I put it down to getting older, no big deal.

Take advantage of this kind of initiative or talk to your GP. Don't be embarrassed. A PSA test is a simple blood test, and it will not only put your mind at rest if the results come back as clear, but if there is anything detected, it will hopefully give you time to have it seen to before it is too late. PC is one of those slow burns, usually building over a number of years, and often unseen ... my doctor told me after my surgery that early detection was key as it is eminently treatable if caught in time. This is the kind of initiative that can prevent the preventable so please go get tested if you can.

ICT Release follows: Whilst this is a media release and the spots are already filled, it is worth highlighting this so you can keep an eye out for any future opportunities.

ICTFC would like to welcome members of the press and media to the first ever prostate cancer testing initiative of its kind in the Highlands. This pioneering new programme, delivered by the Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative, will take place at the Sarens PSG Stadium on Wednesday 29th April, from 10.30am until 6.00pm.

The Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative is supported by Sir Chris Hoy, Sir Tom Hunter, Professor Sir Chris Evans, and Kenny Logan. The Initiative provides free PSA tests to men aged between 40 and 80 and some samples are subject to additional diagnostic tests with the goal of gathering important data to help guide future screening and treatment protocols.

A total of 600 men have signed up to take part in the testing Initiative in Inverness. The original 500 spaces were fully booked within just two days of going live, leading ICTFC and the Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative to secure an additional 100 places due to the exceptional demand. The Initiative launched on 24 March 2026 and more than 8000 people have been tested so far across Scotland. 

Members of the press are invited to attend on the day, with opportunities to speak to representatives from the Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative, as well as potentially hearing from some of the men taking part in the testing. If you intend to attend, please let us know in advance so we can make the necessary arrangements.

Further details about the Initiative can be found: https://www.scottishprostate.com/ 

Was just reading the website listed and one stat on there is truly staggering

Scotland also has one of the worst rates of late-stage detection of prostate cancer. Of those diagnosed with the disease, 35% of men are already at Stage 4 when it is too late to be cured. This compares with just 12.5% in London who are diagnosed at Stage 4, 19% in Wales, 17% in NW England and 20% in Northern Ireland.

Why?

Is it the famous Highland/Scottish reserve and/or stoicism? FFS, as a population we do need to put any sense of embarrassment aside and get checked out. I was lucky, my GP ticked the box on my standard blood tests I get for my yearly physical to include a PSA test that is not normally included. If she had not, then I might be telling a different story - or none at all!

Another survivor here, and if you’ve been listening to Kenny Macintyre on OTB then my story is quite similar. Lost my younger brother in 2017. Asked about getting checked out at age 60 but got fobbed off with a questionnaire.

Visited my GP in summer 2022 about something unrelated and he took some tests. Traces of blood in the urine and PSA of 10, and later 8.9. This led to a biopsy in the winter which showed 11/12 samples cancerous. Diagnosed with stage 2/3 (hard to read a CT scan accurately). Stage 4 is when it’s spreading out of the prostate and is serious.

Spring of 2023, started hormone injections and in late summer had umpteen 5-minute bursts of radiotherapy. I’ve had 6-monthly PSA tests since Feb 2024 and every one has been around 0.1 .

tl;dr - Wednesday is an opportunity which you should take.

Edited April 28Apr 28 by The Mantis

Almost exactly the same story as Mantis. I had no family history of prostate cancer and no symptoms. The most common form of cancer with excellent chances of recovery when discovered early. It's a no brainer get tested when you can.

All males reading this, go to your doc and ask for a psa blood test

Another one here.

Asked for a PSA test about 15 months ago, aged 68. In the UK there is no screening programme, and GPs are not supposed to suggest it if you have no suspicious symptoms. But if you are over 50 you can request a test. The GP, as she should, asked why I wanted one, and I said I had two reasons - the first was simply my age, and the second was that two of my contemporaries from school had just died of prostate cancer.

GP did the rectal exam - the finger up the backside - which is nothing to be concerned or embarrassed about. Nothing found.

The first PSA test suggested something was up, and a second one gave nearly the same score. Next step was an MRI scan - I fell asleep in the scanner, despite the noise it was making - and a biopsy. The biopsy is undignified, uncomfortable rather than painful, and it's over in half an hour. Local anaesthetic , so you can have a good natter with the medical staff whilst it's under way.

Long story short, I had a small amount of hopefully slow-growing cancer. We agreed that I would go onto "active surveillance" - no treatment, just regular PSA tests.

That was a year ago, and the most recent tests indicate my score increasing, so I'm just waiting for my appointments for my next scan and biopsy. I actually want to know what the current situation is.

Bottom line is that there's nothing to fear. On the day I was given my diagnosis, my wife asked me how I felt. My reply was "This morning, I had cancer, but didn't know. Now, I have cancer, but I do know, I know how much, and I know it will be monitored. So I'm infinitely better off than I was this morning.".

There are bound to be several here who don't know. Get yourself tested!

I saw the initiative when it first appeared on ictfc.com. I went to book a test but all slots were taken. Put my name on a waiting list and a few weeks later a second session was announced for the stadium. There were 78 slots available, I booked my test and started what’s apping mates who I knew didnt frequent ict web site. Each one (7) booked the test and to a man thanked me as they didn’t fancy going to their GP and bothering them like people who go with a cold or a sore toe. Men EH.

Just checked and 0 slots available again for tomorrow’s session.

My story is a heart stent fitted in 2013. My doc set me on a 6 month check up schedule,, blood pressure etc. Then in 2018 he noticed my kidney function had dropped to 46%. This started me on the path for a stem cell replacement for blood cancer multiple myeloma. 8 years in remission now. I was putting the tiredness down to old age and would have done nothing about it until my kidneys packed in.

Sometimes woman get mis diagnosed for this cancer as it is in the bone marrow and eats away at your bones. Very easy to break bones and be told at first look it is osteoporosis.

As the guys above say when things start to show themselves get to your GP don’t wait till it’s too late.

Ps…… was told by consultant in Edinburgh hospital after the stem cell that the longest one of his patients had before the cancer popped it’s head up again was 8 years. I would have bitten his hand off if I was offered that. But, that 8 years has come and gone in a flash.

Ps….. on a lighter note a couple of years ago I was on 1st tee at my GC when the pro asked if a visitor could join me rather than play on his own. On the 6th tee he asked what I did for a living. I then asked him. He said in Los Angeles he worked in cancer research. What cancer I asked , myeloma he said. I have that I said. Is it multiple ( eg has it affected a major organ) he asked. Yes was reply. Oh, sorry to hear that and never talked about it again. That spooked me that day.

Thank You to all who have responded in here. Hopefully it makes it easier for others to realise there is or should be no stigma or embarrassment around getting your prostate checked. Getting it checked won't kill you! Leaving it unchecked just might!

50 minutes ago, snorbens_caleyman said:

In the UK there is no screening programme, and GPs are not supposed to suggest it if you have no suspicious symptoms.

For some reason it is the same over here. We pay something equivalent to National Insurance to cover the Canadian version of the NHS but some tests are not included, and you must pay out of pocket. It's not a huge amount ($75 i think) but any cost is often barrier enough for people to say 'nahh', especially if they don't fit into the stereotypical risk group. The only caveat is if your GP ticks the box on the bloodwork requisition form and in some cases, it seems they don't like to do that.

After the story about my uncle, my GP said she was ticking that box and I don't think it's being melodramatic to say she saved my life with that check mark. My cancer was found to be stage 3 (Gleason 3+4) with positive margins meaning it had just reached the outer edges of the prostate and there was a risk of spread and becoming Stage 4. Long story short, they removed it, found no evidence of cancer in any of the lymph nodes, so no spread, and for the last few years the PSA scores have been good. However, because of the positive margins, there is a good chance that there are some residual cells left behind in the prostate bed which will get treated with radiation once the PSA level goes above 0.25

Well done to all signed up for these tests, and if anyone on here does get a concerning result, then I think a few of us on here would be more than willing to discuss our experiences in private with you. It is a daunting diagnosis but ignoring the signs doesn't make it go away, and if caught early enough then it is eminently treatable.

My ten year older brother (65) got diagnosed with prostate cancer and due to repeated history in our family (Father,uncle) his doctor suggested whole extended male family got checked.

I requested gp check and the practice nurse immediately booked me in with no quibble .

If you miss the stadium just phone your gp. There is a massive change in perspective on this test in the last few years.

3 hours ago, Moogthurso said:

My ten year older brother (65) got diagnosed with prostate cancer and due to repeated history in our family (Father,uncle) his doctor suggested whole extended male family got checked.

I requested gp check and the practice nurse immediately booked me in with no quibble .

If you miss the stadium just phone your gp. There is a massive change in perspective on this test in the last few years.

Good post. As a healthcare professional Id advise anyone worried to discuss with GP

Article in the Courier: https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/ict-host-hundreds-of-men-getting-tested-as-part-of-prostate-433679/