'You don't need a finger to test for prostate cancer' - Killingworth man's message after lucky diagnosis

Killingworth's Dean Walker is passionate about encouraging men to talk about prostate cancer and to spread the message that a finger test is not needed

A Killingworth man has spoken about how lucky he was to find out he had prostate cancer - as he only insisted his GP gave him a test having watched rugby star Kenny Logan talk about the illness on TV. Retired firefighter Dean Walker, 63, had been watching BBC Breakfast with his wife Lynn in late 2022 when the former Scotland international revealed his own diagnosis.

Dean felt compelled to get himself checked - but because he didn't have a family history of prostate cancer, initially he wasn't offered an appointment by his GP. After a few weeks and the worry of his wife, he insisted and was able to make an appointment.

He told ChronicleLive: "We were just sitting in the morning watching BBC Breakfast. It was when Kenny Logan and Gabby Logan were on talking about the journey he had been through. He was just urging blokes to ask their GP about getting a test. I'm sitting there thinking well I haven't got any symptoms but I should check. It took such a long time though - I'm hoping it'll be a bit quicker now."

When Dean eventually got an appointment, he did have a rectal exam, but he's now backing a Prostate Cancer UK campaign which highlights that intrusive examinations - the "finger" test - are now a thing of the past. When he was tested though, his GP said his prostate was slightly inflamed, and then a PSA test led to a cancer diagnosis.

But after a having his prostate removed, he has recovered well - and he's now determined to ensure men don't put off getting checked. He's backing Prostate Cancer UK's campaign which has the straight-to-the-point tagline: "You don't need a finger up the bum to check for prostate cancer."

Dean shared his story and said: "When you hear the words ‘you have prostate cancer’ as I did in December 2022 it feels you with shock, and fear as well. Shock at the news and then fear of what the future holds.. I’m so lucky and grateful that me and my wife watched Kenny and Gabby Logan on BBC Breakfast that morning.

"Kenny had no symptoms at all and was urging men to talk to their GP about a PSA blood test. It was my wife that convinced me to go and see my GP and I’m so glad I did. That TV feature changed my life and I’m keen to help others the way they helped me.

"Being diagnosed with prostate cancer has certainly changed my outlook on life. I don’t think twice about booking a holiday now. I have also had a lot of support from family and friends which has helped me to stay positive, and I have been able to talk about it. "

Dean explained that as a retired firefighter and a regular footballer, he had always been around men, and seen first-hand how difficult health topics can be avoided. He added: "I worked with men all my life and played football all my life, and with my male friends it's something I wanted to talk about. I thought it was something I just didn't want to keep to myself. And I thought if I did talk about it, I might be able to help save someone else."

He explained that he also wants to see a widespread screening programme brought in - and wanted to back the Prostate Cancer UK campaign designed to take away fear of "the finger". He said: "It is scary though, how I was diagnosed by complete chance, just by watching TV that day. Prostate cancer is far more treatable if caught early, so it’s so important that men are aware of their risk."

Dean continued: "So many men are put off by worrying about ‘the finger’, which is why it’s so important for men to know you don’t need that anymore to check for prostate cancer. I really hope by sharing my story and that message we’ll get thousands more men at risk to come forward and chat to their GP."

Dean is supporting Prostate Cancer UK's campaign for new NHS guidelines which would encourage GPs to talk to men about prostate cancer and PSA testing from the age of 45. He said: "It's a simple, cost-free change that could happen today and save hundreds of lives every year. The responsibility to know about prostate cancer and what you can do about it shouldn’t just rest on men’s shoulders!”

Amy Rylance, assistant director of Health Improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “For a long time, prostate cancer testing has been associated with the rectal exam, and the fear and stigma around 'the finger' puts men off speaking to a GP about the disease, often until it's too late for their cancer to be cured. But now the experts agree that it's out of date and no longer necessary.

"You don't need a finger up the bum to test for prostate cancer. The first test is a simple blood test. I'm heartened to see men across the UK sharing this message - they're busting a major prostate cancer misconception and are undoubtedly saving lives.

"The way prostate cancer is diagnosed today - without rectal exams - is safer and more accurate than it's ever been. However, it's important to know that prostate cancer is the only common cancer without a screening programme, and it often doesn't give you symptoms in its earlier stages."

The charity encourages men to use its 30 second online Risk Checker online. This comes after a joint statement from the British Association of Urological Surgeons and the charity affirmed that getting "the finger" should not be a standard test for prostate cancer. issued a full statement, asserting that the DRE is not a good test for prostate cancer and that is should no longer be used as a standard test.

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