Tractor trip to raise awareness of prostate cancer

Andrew Gibson will travel 500 miles by tractor with a message to farmers to 'harvest' their prostate health

A former paramedic, whose prostate cancer diagnosis came "out of the blue", is embarking on a 500-mile tractor road trip to raise awareness about the illness amongst rural communities.

Andrew Gibson, 58, from Chipping Sodbury, near Bristol, found out he was unwell when he collapsed while refereeing an amateur rugby match in 2020.

Four years later, after extensive treatment, he said he is taking the message to farmers to "harvest" their prostate health.

Mr Gibson set off earlier and will travel for two days by tractor, to and from his former ambulance station in Lancashire, to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK.

"Research shows people living in rural areas, and farmers in particular, are less likely to engage in preventative health measures, including cancer screenings, which are so simple," he said.

"I wanted to try and make the farming community much more aware, particularly men, of their personal health, in particular with prostate cancer."

Mr Gibson, 58, collapsed while refereeing an amateur rugby match in 2020

Mr Gibson said his prostate cancer diagnosis came as a massive shock.

"I took my health for granted," he said.

"Even when I started to feel the odd twinge, stiffness and pain it was put down to leading a highly active lifestyle – something I now know was a big, missed opportunity, which has cost me dearly.

"Suddenly, overnight, my world had changed."

He was originally told that he only had two years to live but believes his treatment has helped him survive longer.

He has urged others to see a doctor "the minute they noticed anything different".

'Question their symptoms'

The prostate is a small gland in the pelvis.

The causes of prostate cancer are largely unknown, but most cases develop in men aged 50 or older, and it is more common in black men, according to the NHS.

Mr Gibson sets off on a loaned Demonstrator T6/T7 tractor from the Badminton Estate, in Gloucestershire, heading to Hoghton Tower, near his former ambulance station in Chorley, Lancashire.

The following day he will drive the return leg, finishing at the Bristol GenesisCare outpatient cancer centre, where he has been receiving treatment.

"I’m determined to spend the time I’ve got left to spread the word to the highly active farming community not to dismiss the aches and pains and to harvest your prostate health," Mr Gibson said.

"If my story can help others to recognise or question their own symptoms and get tested, then I’ll be delighted."