“I don’t think I’m being dramatic when I say the PSA test saved my life.”

11 November 2025

A West Midlands officer has thanked a colleague and the joint Federation and Force prostate health campaign for saving his life.

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer after having a check-up at the in-Force PSA testing event in November.

Thankfully, the cancer was caught early and the officer, who wishes to remain anonymous, is back at work after having his prostate removed.

Now he is encouraging officers and staff to have a free PSA test at the next Federation and Force testing session on Wednesday 19 November.

The officer said: “I don’t think I’m being dramatic when I say the test saved my life.”

PSA testing

The initial PSA testing event came after Sergeant Liam Hemmings requested PSA testing be made available when his dad, Junia, and the husband of one of his team members were diagnosed with the disease within a short period of time.

At a similar time, the officer had been sat in a pub with old friends when the subject of prostate cancer came up.

One friend’s father was undergoing radiotherapy, and the group promised they would go for a PSA test.

However, the plan was forgotten until an email from the Federation dropped into the officer’s inbox, promoting the free PSA testing.

“That email made me stop and think,” he said. “I remembered the conversation in the pub and thought, why not?

 

 

“I had no symptoms and wasn’t concerned at all, but I booked a test out of solidarity.”

His PSA reading came back slightly raised, and he was booked for an MRI scan. The scan was inconclusive but a biopsy confirmed he had prostate cancer.

“It was like being hit with a brick,” said the 47-year-old. “I was very lucky it was caught early.

“The cancer was contained and hadn’t spread. Without that test, I’d still be in blissful ignorance and, in a few years, it could have been a very different story.”

He added: “I owe that early diagnosis entirely to Liam, the Federation, the Force, and everyone else who made that testing day happen last November.”

The officer underwent surgery in April and follow-up tests showed his PSA level to be as low as it can be.

“Generally, as men, we’re not great at going to the GP,” said the father of two. “But when it’s brought to you and part of your working day, it makes a difference.

Surgery

“I honestly believe it saved my life – maybe not now but certainly in a few years’ time.”

A PSA testing event will be held at Lloyd House on Wednesday 19 November between 10am and 4pm.

Details will be available on the Force intranet or you can register to attend by emailing the Federation office. 

Spaces are limited, so members are being asked to register beforehand. You must be over 40 on the day of the test.

The officer is encouraging more men – especially those under 50 – to take a test

And he has trained as a peer support mentor with a prostate cancer charity.

He said: “Hopefully, I can use my experience to help others.”