Ian Walsh: Former Wales, Swansea and Cardiff striker being treated for prostate cancer
- Published
Former striker Ian Walsh scored seven goals in 18 games for Wales in the late 1970s and early 1980s
Ex-Wales, Swansea City and Cardiff City striker Ian Walsh has revealed he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The 65-year-old, whose former clubs also include Crystal Palace, Barnsley and Grimsby Town, won 18 caps for Wales and scored seven goals.
Walsh is a Prostate Cymru ambassador and said his early diagnosis showed the wisdom in getting regular testing.
"I was diagnosed back in February-March this year," Walsh told Elis James' Feast of Football podcast.
"I'd had a few issues so I went in to have a blood test, and the blood test led on to an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan and biopsies.
"They said: 'Ian, you've got prostate cancer.' But before anyone gets carried away, I am so lucky because it was caught at quite an early stage, so I'm really thankful.
"So this is for all the guys - from 50 onwards, go and have what they call a PSA test."
A PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test is a blood test used primarily to screen for prostate cancer.
"I got it at a really early stage - then I have options," Walsh said.
"The ironic thing is I've raised money at golf days for Prostate Cymru and then I end up with prostate cancer.
"But having said that, I got tested by chance. The GP (general practitioner doctor) said to me, 'Ian, you haven't had this done for a couple of years' - and unbelievably it came back with prostate cancer.
"It's at an early stage and it's treatable so you've got options, but the message is to all you guys - one in eight men in Wales will get it, one in four Afro-Caribbean guys will get it.
"So the important thing is if you can get it, a simple blood test that they send away, two weeks later if there's any abnormalities they'll bring you in for what I had done.
"But if you leave it and you don't do anything, prostate cancer doesn't kill you by itself, it's where it spreads to.
"It's only the end of the world if you don't get checked on a regular basis."
Listen to the full episode of Elis James' Feast of Football podcast on BBC Sounds.
More information on cancer is available on BBC Action Line.