TWO brothers who were diagnosed with prostate cancer within years of each other, despite never having symptoms, have urged men to get themselves checked.

George and John Goldsmith decided to get tested after both their father and grandfather died from the illness.

Prostate cancer kills one man in the UK every hour, and between 2007 and 2009, 1,137 new cases were diagnosed in Oxfordshire.

One hundred men in the county die from the disease every year.

John Goldsmith, 68, from Kidlington, was the first to insist on having a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test which is one of the main methods of diagnosis.

The use of the PSA testing is controversial as it often results in false readings.

But Mr Goldsmith credits the test with saving his life.

He said: “After seeing my father suffer the symptoms of prostate cancer and having seen what he went through, it made me aware that when the time came I would definitely get myself checked.”

Mr Goldsmith said it was with a certain amount of persistence on his part that he found out about the PSA test and went for repeated checks.

Prostate cancer was finally diagnosed and he was sent for a radical prostate removal.

He said: “At no point during this whole period did I have the symptoms of prostate cancer.

“That was five-and-a-half years ago.

“Thankfully the cancer was caught in the early stages and now I can get on with the rest of my life.

“But if I hadn’t insisted on the PSA test I may not have known until it was too late.”

George, 73, was less keen to get himself checked, but after his brother’s diagnoses he too decided to opt for the test.

In 2009 the grandfather-of-five discovered he also had prostate cancer.

He said: “Within an eight-week period I had a biopsy, discussions, and a Radical Prostatectomy.

“I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones, having been diagnosed early.

“The fact that symptoms are not always apparent makes the need for testing very important. “ The brothers, who helped to set up the Oxfordshire Prostate Cancer Support Group (OPCSG), now spend their spare time touring the country raising awareness of how important it is for men to get themselves tested.

Anyone with concerns should consult their GP.

For more information go to opcsg.org