A West Midlands police officer has credited a colleague and a joint Federation and Force prostate health campaign for saving his life after an early diagnosis of prostate cancer. The officer, who wishes to remain anonymous, was diagnosed following a PSA testing event held within the Force in November.
Fortunately, the cancer was detected at an early stage. The officer underwent a successful prostate removal and has since returned to work. Now, he is advocating for his colleagues and staff to take advantage of the next free PSA testing session, scheduled for Wednesday, 19 November.
“I don’t think I’m being dramatic when I say the test saved my life,” he said, highlighting the importance of early detection.
The Origins of PSA Testing in the Force
The PSA testing initiative within the Force was sparked by Sergeant Liam Hemmings, who recognized the urgent need for prostate health awareness after several personal connections were diagnosed with the disease. Among those affected were his father, his uncle Junia, and the husband of one of his team members—all diagnosed within a short timeframe.
Around the same time, the officer was discussing prostate cancer in a social setting with old friends. The group had promised to undergo PSA testing but had not acted on it. An email from the Federation promoting a free PSA testing day ultimately prompted him to schedule his own test.
“That email made me stop and think,” the officer recalled. “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.”
Early Detection and Diagnosis
His PSA result returned slightly elevated, prompting an MRI scan. Although the scan was inconclusive, a subsequent biopsy confirmed the presence of prostate cancer.
“It was like being hit with a brick,” said the 47-year-old officer. “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 credits his early diagnosis to the proactive efforts of Sergeant Hemmings, the Federation, the Force, and everyone involved in organizing the PSA testing event.
Surgery and Recovery
The officer underwent surgery in April to remove his prostate. Follow-up tests showed that his PSA levels had dropped to the lowest possible level, indicating a successful outcome.
“Generally, as men, we’re not great at going to the GP,” he explained. “But when it’s brought to you and integrated into your working day, it makes a difference. I honestly believe it saved my life—maybe not immediately, but certainly in the years to come.”
Encouraging Colleagues to Participate
The next PSA testing session will be held at Lloyd House on Wednesday, 19 November, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is required, and details are available via the Force intranet or by contacting the Federation office. Attendance is limited, and participants must be over 40 years old on the day of testing.
The officer is particularly urging men under 50 to consider taking a PSA test and has trained as a peer support mentor with a prostate cancer charity.
“Hopefully, I can use my experience to help others,” he said. “If sharing my story encourages even one person to get tested, it will be worth it.”
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