A LOCAL man who lives in Magor, Caldicot was diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer in 2023 and has since tried to raise awareness amongst the talk of prostate cancer to encourage men to be more open and to talk about themselves and their problems.

Marcus Grodentz was diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer in 2023 following some problems with his ‘waterworks’.

“Not at all unusual for a man of your age,” said his GP.

Prostate cancer affects one in eight men in the UK, and the chance of getting the disease is one in four for black men. Marcus wanted to raise awareness of how important it is that men are regularly getting tested.

According to Prostate Cancer UK, 12,000 men die from prostate cancer every year in the UK.

Marcus was put on medication, but it didn’t seem to help and so he was referred to a specialist who recommended further tests who diagnosed him with stage four prostate cancer.

He has completed two years of hormone therapy which Marcus described as being ‘quite brutal’ for men and he has now just started a 30-week course of chemotherapy.

“Men could save themselves a lot of pain and distress if only they would go and get themselves tested,” said Marcus.

“The PSA test is not always a definitive indicator, but for us men it is all we have.”

“I have spent the last two years trying to raise awareness of Prostate Cancer and to encourage men to more open up and to talk about themselves and their problems.”

“But this disease affects a sensitive part of our bodies and men are reluctant to share. The problem is that what can be a curable disease can then turn into a killer.”

“I thought I was bullet proof. As a 70-year-old man I was very fit and exercised regularly, but it turns out that none of us are bullet proof.”

Marcus has received a lot of help and support not only from his wife Maggie who he has described as ‘his rock’ but also from The Maggies Cancer Charity in Cardiff.

“There are two Maggies in my life,” said Marcus. “And they both absolutely marvellous.”

“The centre in Cardiff is a fabulous resource and I have got a lot from joining the men’s support group who meet on a Friday morning. We are all members of a club that none of us wanted to join.”

“But being with them and talking and sharing is a very therapeutic environment.”

“They have breast screening for women and a bowel movement programme, but nothing for us men. This really must change.”

The Maggies centre in Cardiff is one of several centres around the country that provides free support and advice.

It ranges from emotional to financial, to cancer sufferers, their friends and families. It is staffed by professionals and no appointments are necessary. Just walk in and you will be welcomed with a hot drink.

You can also find out more information on the Prostate Cancer UK website.