Robbie's story: Take control

A random work screening saved Robbie's life. As a retired fire officer living in Trim, he spoke to us about the importance of taking ownership of your own health.

Movember and me

Dublin Fire brigade has had a long history of being involved with Movember. Through the years I've done a few fundraising events such as charity matches and the Croke Park abseil.

When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in November 2019, my connection to the charity became even more solidified. It was like the two worlds collided and I became much more involved after that.

Health screenings can save lives

I was still in the fire brigade at the time I was diagnosed. Our insurance company was doing a screening initiative called 'Blue and Pink Power'.

I had no symptoms but the PSA in the blood test came back slightly elevated so I was referred on to a consultant. He knew straight away that something was off. After that I was diagnosed and had surgery, luckily I didn’t have to have radiation as well.

Driven google mad

When I initially got the diagnosis, the Movember website, True North, was where I got all my information. Even today after going through it, I get a lot of my information there.

You can be driven mad looking up Google, so it’s important to find a source of information that’s honest and accurate that doesn’t scare the life out of you.

The wait

What I found particularly challenging in the whole process was the time from the initial tests to the diagnosis. That was probably the worst part of the whole thing. When I look back on it, it was only two and a half weeks, but at the time it felt like a month.

I do know medical staff are busy, but if there was a way to get results sooner I think that would really help the person involved so they’re not waiting around.

Experiencing cancer

Nobody really understands the experience of having cancer unless they’ve been through the experience themselves.

It can be quite isolating, so it’s important to connect with others who have been in the same position. Peer groups, for example, with The Irish Cancer Society, can be brilliant for bonding with people who have been through the same diagnosis.

I also found counselling hugely helpful after the diagnosis.

Check ups

In terms of checkups I continue to go to my GP and get regular checks. It’s become a habit of mine to get a full health check whilst I’m there.

I always say to others "just get yourself checked". That's the easy part. There's no point sticking your head in the sand and saying, "well it's not going to be me". Some people don't even want to hear about the topic of cancer, but many people are open to it. It’s important to talk about it and spread the word.

Our barriers

I think one of the biggest barriers to men in terms of mental and physical health, is men. If you think you have an issue and you don't get it checked or seen to, that's a personal barrier. That's what men do. They come up with as many reasons as they can, not to do it. Sometimes they're waiting on other people to do it, but you have to do it yourself. You have to get better yourself. You have to look after your own health because it's your health. You can't expect your partner or your mother or father to kind of be looking after you, because you need to take control of it.

Health radiates

Your health radiates to everybody else in the house. For example when I’m not in good form, the whole house isn’t in good form.

It’s like a vicious circle, so it’s important to take responsibility for these things and try to do your best to look after yourself, mentally and physically. In doing that you’re also looking after those you love too.