Police boss shares cancer story to raise awareness
Jonathan Evison was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the summer of 2023
- Published
A police and crime commissioner (PCC) has shared his experience of having prostate cancer to help other men spot symptoms before its too late.
Jonathan Evison said he was diagnosed in the summer of 2023 after realising something was wrong when he needed to go to the toilet multiple times a night and had blood in his urine.
Humberside Police said about 11,300 men in East Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire were living with or after prostate cancer, with over 1,100 new diagnoses each year.
Mr Evision, the PCC for Humberside, said he had 20 rounds of external beam radiation last year and was declared cancer-free in December.
"Being diagnosed with prostate cancer was a life-changing moment for me," he said.
"My father had an enlarged prostate so I was aware of the symptoms and what to look out for.
"I started noticing something may be wrong when I was getting up multiple times during the night to go to the toilet, and once noticed blood in my urine.
"I now want to share my story and highlight the importance of early detection and encourage men to get checked."
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in England, with 1 in 8 men diagnosed with it in their lifetime, according to Prostate Cancer UK., external
'Brave decision'
It often has no symptoms in its early stages, which makes it more important for men to be aware of symptoms.
Men over 50, as well as black men and those with a family history of prostate cancer, are at higher risk.
Chiara De Biase, director of health services, equity and improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, praised Mr Evison for his brave decision to share his prostate cancer story publicly.
She said: "Tragically, in Humberside, more than 1 in 4 men with prostate cancer are diagnosed when it's too late to be cured.
"But the good news is the earlier you find prostate cancer, the easier it is to treat - and an earlier diagnosis could save your life.
"Most men with early-stage prostate cancer don't get any symptoms, so instead of looking for signs of being unwell, it's vital you know your risk of getting it and what you can do about it."
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