Grandad says 'all men should do one thing' after cancer diagnosis

Nick was fit, healthy and active with no symptoms when he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer

An active, fit and healthy grandad who ate healthily, never smoked and never drank decided to go for a check-up when he his his 60s - and was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Nick James had no symptoms, but a routine blood test showed an elevated PSA level of 4.5.

Further tests showed that Nick, 64, had a 30mm tumour on the prostate, and he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. “I had hardly ever had to visit a doctor in my life,” said Nick, who works in the meat industry and lives in Southport.

“Suddenly I was having 16 biopsies along my lymph nodes and the cancer had already escaped out of the prostate. Someone was looking over me, because I decided off my own back to go and get a fitness check — I didn't have any symptoms.”

Nick had a prostatectomy and all lymph nodes removed. A year after that he had a bit of back pain and a tumour was discovered at the base of his spine, so he had radiotherapy.

Then, last December, he thought he had sciatica, but then discovered he had two tumours on his spine pressing on his nerves. After more medication and radiotherapy, after more pain in his right femur, Nick discovered he now had bone cancer.

Despite his diagnoses, Nick, who has seven grandchildren, is determined to stay positive and enjoy life to the full. “I just tell myself, ‘I haven't got cancer’,” Nick said.

“The medics can only do so much and you've got to play your part as well. You can sit there and wallow in it or you can play your part and you try and beat it. We enjoy life with all the grandkids and the family and make the most of it.

“I’m taking all the family to Center Parcs in May, then in July we’re holidaying in the Lake District to do some walking to keep strong and healthy. That’s how I've always lived life. I've never been a downer.

“You go through challenges in life, whether it's work-wise or whatever. But it's down to you to sort it out and you get on with it.”

Nick is determined to raise awareness of prostate cancer and encourage all men of all ages to have a blood test at their local medical centre, whether they have symptoms or not. He’s now cycling 40 miles a week to prepare for the Chris Hoy Tour de 4, a 56-mile fundraising charity bike ride taking place in September 2025 to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK.

"If I hadn't have gone for that blood test I wouldn't be here today,” Nick explains. “If men go for a routine blood test it also checks for cholesterol or diabetes. So it's a win win going as if you're all clear on all three, it’s happy days but if they pick up on something early, it makes a massive difference in treatment and cure.

“I can't praise the NHS enough for the tremendous service I've received over the last four years, despite the negative press they often receive. All I do is carry on and make the most of life — I'm not old and decrepit, I’m still fit as a fiddle.

“I now have one session of chemo every three weeks, and they also give me a bone infusion for half an hour to keep the bones strong so they don't go brittle. I just keep taking the medication and keeping fit and healthy.

“I want to tell all men, whether they have symptoms or not: once you hit 50, just go and get checked. If there's a history of prostate cancer in a family, then they should be checking the male side of the family a lot earlier than 60 years of age.

“I’m the first in our family and I didn't have any symptoms. It's quite rare, but it does prove a point, doesn't it? I'm a bit like Chris Hoy: someone who's fit and healthy. You don't expect it. A few years ago I did a coast to coast cycle ride raising money for our local Hospice. I cycled to the east coast and back, cycling 308 miles in 28 hours.

“Now I’m cycling the Chris Hoy Tour de 4 to raise money for and awareness of prostate cancer. Life goes on: You don't give up just because you have the big C. You’ve got to just keep going and stay positive.”

Donate to Nick’s fundraiser here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/my-tour-de-4-fundraiser-to-fight-cancer-55zfs