A COURAGEOUS cancer survivor is backing the Rory the Robot campaign after winning his own battle with the disease.
Ian Jukes’ life changed when he popped into register with a new doctor in December 2011 after moving house.
Days later the 59-year-old, who lives in Battenhall Avenue, was left shattered after being told a routine blood test revealed he had a raised PSA level which was then confirmed as prostate cancer.
“It came as a complete surprise. I should have gone in the September but being a typical man I thought I’ll go when I’m next ill. Just before Christmas I was popping into town to get a new chain for my chainsaw and thought I’d kill two birds with one stone,” he said.
“I had no suspicions or idea anything was wrong at all. Even to this day I still can’t believe I had it because there were no signs or symptoms.”
Mr Jukes underwent surgery at the Alexandra Hospital in May 2012 to remove the tumour.
During his recovery Mr Jukes discovered other hospitals were using surgical robots to carry out the operation but it was not available in Worcestershire.
He says if he had been given the choice he would have opted to have his operation using the surgical robot and has now committed to campaigning to raise the money to ensure Worcestershire patients can enjoy the benefits the technology brings.
“I have a 12 inch scar which isn’t a problem personally, I’d rather have my life and a scar than not, but having just five small incisions would have been a lot easier to recover from than full open surgery,” he said.
“It was at least six months before I felt fine and up to 12 months before I felt as if I’d never had the operation.
“The most important thing is the surgeon, you have to have faith in the surgeon, but from my point of view I wanted the operation in a Worcestershire hospital. I live in Worcestershire and I wanted that support network of family and friends around me. It’s so important this is available locally.
“Mr Makar and his team and the nurses were marvellous and I just feel it is my civic duty to do something to help.
“More men are going to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the future not less. This can be a win-win situation for Worcestershire.”
