Dr Ros Eeles saw a ghost

I had got to know Paul Jennings well.  I had tried hard with others, to stem his particularly aggressive prostate cancer.  It was a great sadness when he died early in 2001.  Imagine, then, how I felt when he "appeared" in my consulting room last summer!  Eerie.  It almost changed my disbelief in ghosts.

It was of course Anthony Jennings, Paul's 100% identical twin - the product over fifty years ago of one human egg splitting after fertililization to produce identical twins.  Although his cancer was nowhere near so advanced as Paul's had been, there was little doubt in my mind, knowing what I do about the strong genetic influence on people's propensity to develop cancer, that Anthony's cancer should be treated immediately.

Anthony Jennings' Experience

Five years ago, in October 1997, my twin brother Paul was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  Tests revealed that his highly aggressive cancer had spread beyond his prostate, and did not respond to chemotherapy.  Despite the best efforts of his medical team, and his own determination to live, sadly he died four years later in February 2001.  He was 53 years old.

As a result of my brother's diagnosis, my GP immediately referred me to Mr Brian Ellis, a consultant urological surgeon based close to my Chertsey home.  For three years my regular PSA and DRE tests were normal.  However, Mr Ellis was always cognisant of my twin brother's history, and as my PSA level increased marginally earlier last year, he advised a six sample biopsy in July 2002.  Despite the low PSA reading of 0.68, the biopsy revealed the presence of high grade PIN, which greatly concerned Mr Ellis.

After considerable discussion, he referred me to Professor Roger Kirby, who in turn sent me for a further twelve sample biopsy, which did reveal a small cancerous tumour in the prostate.  After meeting with Dr Rosalind Eeles, who had dealt closely with my brother during his illness, we all agreed I should undergo a radical prostatectomy.  This operation was successfully performed on 11th October 2002, at St George's, London.

As I write this in November, I am recuperating at home.  My bladder is functioning well in the absence of my prostate gland.  It is early days, but I am confident I am on the road back to a normal life once again and, thankfully, my PSA is down to less than 0.1.

What have I learnt from this somewhat daunting experience that I can usefully pass on to others?  Several things I believe: If you have a close family relative (brother, father, uncle, grandfather) who has or had prostate cancer, be aware that this disease may also be affecting you.  You may have NO symptoms at all.  My brother had none, and yet when his condition was discovered, it was too late.  I had no outward symptoms at all, and my PSA tests showed no cause for alarm.  Only through the unerring diligence of Mr Ellis, and the consummate surgical skill of Professor Kirby, am I now able to face the future with confidence.

You can beat prostate cancer, providing you take decisive action.  Get the best medical advice you can, talk through the potential problems and the possible solutions, and ensure you have the best health insurance you can afford.