Coming back from prostate cancer

By Jim Glennie, Jog Leader with On The Run Cumbernauld

I have been a Jog Leader for over 20 years with OTR Cumbernauld, plus previously at Airdrie Harriers where I am also a member. Until recently, I hadn’t had any health problems.

However, Chris Hoy’s story about prostate cancer made me think about myself. I didn’t have any symptoms nor family history of prostate cancer, but his description of having a shoulder problem resonated with me – although I knew the reason for this was falling off my bike some time ago.

It was enough to prompt me to have my bloods taken in December 2024, when I had just ran the Malaga half marathon in my best time of the year. My results showed a PSA level of 24, which is highly elevated. I quickly had an appointment with my GP who examined me and referred me to the hospital urgently.

I didn’t feel unwell or have any symptoms so continued to run. I ran the Tilli 10K and parkrun, and again, both were my best times of the year. I had my bloods repeated and they had gone up to 29 within two weeks. I realised the potential seriousness of this as I had been a nurse for 39 years.

I have always told people that running/fitness reduces the risks of ill health but does not eliminate them. But, if it did happen then your body could cope with it more. MRI and CT scans were taken, which showed evidence of cancer. A biopsy showed that I had two types of cancer. In discussion with the consultant, I decided to have a prostatectomy.

Fortunately I was given a cancellation appointment in April and had my operation then. However on analysing the prostate they found that I also had an aggressive form of cancer which wasn’t what was expected. I had a high risk of the cancer coming back and would be monitored every three months for the first year and annually for the rest of my life.

In my case, I was told that regaining control of my bladder would take up to a year, if it happened at all. Progress is slow and you are doing your Kegel exercises at least three times a day, which can be very frustrating.

I think that enduring bodily disruption definitely reshapes daily life and your identity, and you rely on a great deal of support. At this stage, I decided to tell all the Jog Leaders my situation and was happy for them to tell others. It meant that I didn’t need to repeat the same story about my ill health or say I was fine. This made life a lot easier for me.

As I was trying to regain my continence I decided that I needed to get back out running not just for my fitness, but also for my mental health. You have a choice – stay in the house and be miserable or get back out and be as normal as possible. My family were a great support (both emotionally and running/fitness wise) during this and continue to be.

Stuart Leitch, another jog leader, would go out twice a week with me for short runs. I started back at the track with jogscotland, which is a good time to watch runners and give them advice, especially on their running form. It also meant that I felt normal.

Getting back to a degree of fitness has had its ups and downs. I have had quite a number of injuries in the last eight months. It makes you more aware of the need to build your muscles back up after being inactive for a period of time, especially as you get older (I’m 69).

Initially I started with three mile runs, very slowly, and gradually increased the distance. I spend a bit of time over the winter in Spain and have just completed two 5Ks, a 10K (València) and a half marathon (Seville). None of them at any great speed but running comfortably which is the aim currently.

I am aware that this illness can come back at any time but there is a need to try and lead as normal a life as possible and not just be focused on bloods and possible further treatment, which would be radiotherapy and hormone treatment.

Presently I plan most of my life in three month cycles, around blood results. I am really grateful for the continued support from my wife Heather and my children Lewis and Morven (all are/have been jog leaders). But I have also had great support from runners in OTR Cumbernauld, Airdrie Harriers and other athletic clubs during this period.

Concerned about prostate cancer? Check your risk.