A South Holland darts referee who has been battling prostate cancer says early diagnosis proved crucial as he recovers.
And years of working with a prostate cancer charity to encourage men to get tested has made a difference to his attitude to testing. He is an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK.
“I was in Sainsbury’s recently and a man stopped me and said because of the story in the Voice he got tested and it was positive.
“His wife hugged me and said I probably saved his life. It’s so important that men get tested so they know,” he said.
Ian is a popular darts referee both locally and nationally, having refereed at the top of the darts pyramid. He is known as ‘Tarquin Tilley’ on the circuit.
He has also been an active member of Team Darts, set up to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK alongside three-time BDO world champion Martin ‘Wolfie’ Adams.
When he was first diagnosed in January, his PSA level was 19.9 and in the last few days he has been told that it’s dropped to 0.14. PSA is a blood test marker for a specific protein which can indicate a problem.
“My consultant was over the moon. I’m not out of the woods yet, but it’s a big chunk of the way.
“I will have another round of hormone treatment in December, and my PSA level measured again in January. If all is well, then I will go back in six months,” he said.
Ian, of Westminster Drive, Spalding, had stage three cancer when he was initially diagnosed, which meant the cancer had broken out of its capsule, but hadn’t spread.
A former butcher at Bennett’s and butchery manager for Grassmere, based at Vine House Farm, he went to the doctor about another issue, but the blood test revealed his high PSA reading.
“I want to say to men over the age of 50, for goodness sake go and get checked. It’s a blood test and it could save your life,” he said.
The dad of two and grandfather of four had radiotherapy treatment at Lincoln County Hospital every day for four weeks as part of his regime.
