Canterbury oncologist urges Kent men to get PSA tests as ‘silent’ prostate cancer cases rise
A clinical oncologist in Canterbury is urging men to get tested for prostate cancer – warning that many won’t notice any symptoms before they’re diagnosed.
Dr Albert Edwards, a consultant clinical oncologist who treats prostate cancer patients, is calling on men in Kent to speak to their GP about a PSA blood test, stressing that “feeling fine” doesn’t mean you’re in the clear.
‘I had no symptoms at all’
Among those backing the call is 79-year-old Kent patient Christopher Hilton‑Johnson, who discovered he had prostate cancer following a routine PSA test in late 2023.
Christopher says he felt completely well at the time.
“I had no obvious symptoms at all,” he explains. “If it wasn’t for that blood test, I might never have known something was wrong until much later.”
After being offered a standard NHS treatment plan involving long-course radiotherapy, Christopher decided to research alternative options.
Concerned about possible long-term side effects and the impact on his quality of life, he chose proton beam therapy at University College London Hospital.
His treatment finished in early 2025. Christopher says he’s experienced no significant side effects, and his PSA levels remain very low.
He now speaks openly about his experience to encourage other men to get checked and to ask more questions about their treatment options.
Kent patients prioritising quality of life
New research carried out in Kent suggests people increasingly want cancer treatment decisions to focus on quality of life, not just survival:
- 80% of people in Kent say minimising treatment side effects should be a primary consideration when consultants recommend cancer treatment
- 38% worry that healthcare professionals may not always be able to present the full range of treatment options
- 74% say they would want to know if higher-quality care were available privately, in the UK or abroad
- 85% believe patients should have access to the very best treatments, even if this means greater cost to the NHS
With prostate cancer now the most common cancer in the UK – around 64,000 diagnoses every year – Dr Edwards says discussions are increasingly about “life after cancer” as well as survival.
‘Ask about all your options’
Dr Edwards, who has more than 25 years’ experience treating urological cancers, says men should feel empowered to ask detailed questions when they’re diagnosed:
- What are all the treatment options available to me?
- What are the potential side effects – short term and long term?
- How might each option affect my day‑to‑day life?
- Is there any reason I shouldn’t have a PSA test if I’m worried?
Christopher says that taking the time to understand his choices made a huge difference.
“I realised I had to be my own advocate,” he says. “I’d urge other men to get that PSA test, even if they feel well, and then really explore the pros and cons of every treatment they’re offered.”
When should men in Kent get tested?
Men are advised to talk to their GP about a PSA blood test if:
- They’re over 50
- They’re over 45 and have a family history of prostate cancer
- They’re experiencing urinary symptoms, changes in flow, or other concerns
- They simply want to understand their risk and get checked
Dr Edwards’ message is simple: don’t wait for symptoms.
“Prostate cancer can be silent in the early stages,” he says.
“The earlier we find it, the more options we have – and the better the chance of preserving both life and quality of life.”