Prostate cancer survivor urges men to seek blood test

A blood test indicated Mic, 64, might have the cancer, and further tests revealed the disease was well developed.

The retired teacher and university lecturer underwent successful treatment at The Christie, and is urging men his age to have the blood test, which he has once a year.

Mic, from Lostock Green, decided to do something to thank the hospital for its life-saving care and treatment, and cycled 60 miles from Manchester to Blackpool on his mountain bike.

He set himself an initial target of £100, which he hit very quickly, and increased the sum which he wanted to raise to £250.

The charity challenge has so far raised £675, and people can still donate on Mic's justgiving page.

"I had just turned 60, and my wife Annabel suggested I should have a check-up," said Mic.

After he saw a consultant at Leighton Hospital he had a biopsy, which suggested he had prostate cancer.

"I later had a couple of scans at Leighton, which revealed the cancer was well developed and had the potential to spread to my bones," he said.

"I still had no obvious symptoms and felt perfectly healthy. A medical case conference, with specialists from both Leighton and The Christie, recommended treatment as a matter of urgency."

Mic was treated at the Christie with radiotherapy and radioactive pellets, and is recommending that any man who is over 60 should go their doctor and ask for a check-up.

"All it involved was a visit to Northwich Infirmary for a blood test," he added.

"My blood test revealed that I needed to be checked out for prostate cancer."

Mic is no stranger to marathon bike rides, having cycled 150 miles from Greenwich to Folkestone earlier this year.

He has also completed the 200-mile Coast and Castles route from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Edinburgh, and the 135-mile Coast to Coast challenge from Cumbria to Tyneside.

Anyone who would like to donate to Mic's Manchester to Blackpool cycle ride can visit justgiving.com/Mic-Hollis.