A PROSTATE cancer survivor is urging men to know the symptoms and make sure they are not at risk.

German teacher John Grundy was diagnosed with prostate cancer six years ago after he noticed he was having urinary tract problems.

Now retired, Mr Grundy said he thought the problem was just old age, but his wife insisted he speak to his GP and he was diagnosed with cancer.

The 69-year-old, from Boars Hill, is now chairman of the Oxfordshire Prostate Cancer Support Group (OPCSG).

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The charity has launched a campaign to mark Prostate Cancer Awareness Month – which runs for the whole of March – to help men know the symptoms and get the help they need.

Mr Grundy said: “As part of the general monitoring of your health, men should know what to look out for.

“An early diagnosis is very important because prostate cancer is entirely treatable if it is caught soon enough.

“For one man in 100 it definitely is a lifesaver.”

OPCSG has around 250 men who attend its meetings to speak to other people living with the disease, survivors or their families about the condition.

It’s campaign will involve leaflets being circulated through the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times highlighting the symptoms and who is most at risk.

Mr Grundy said he originally thought his problems urinating were old age. But his doctor took a blood test and sent it off for a PSA test, which can detect the early signs of an enlarged prostate by testing the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood.

A normal PSA result for a man in his 50s is a reading of below three nanograms of PSA per millilitre of blood (ng/ml).

But when Mr Grundy’s result came back at 7ng/ml, his GP immediately referred him to the Churchill Hospital in Headington for further tests.

The father-of-three said he was lucky to have a GP who knew what to look for and refer him straight away.

He added: “I speak to so many guys who go through this process – I see the whole spectrum.

“I have had people feel suicidal, but I was quite calm.

“It’s a challenge and for many people it’s much more difficult.”

Mr Grundy’s prostate was examined and after doctors found swelling he was then given a biopsy – a tissue sample was taken and tested for cancer cells.

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the summer of 2010 and had to undergo a radical prostatectomy – open surgery – to remove it.

Although his PSA rose again and he had to undergo a course of radiotherapy last year, he is now in remission.

Consultant urological surgeon at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Simon Brewster stressed if caught early enough prostate cancer is very treatable.

He added: “Despite the rise in instances the risk of dying is considerably low.

“If they have some symptoms or a strong family history of prostate cancer or are black, then they should discuss it with their GP and consider having a blood test.”