JOHN MILNES SHARES HIS PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVAL JOURNEY WITH 55+ WELLNESS
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Prostate cancer is a significant health concern for men over 55, with cases rising due to an ageing population, longer life expectancy, and improved diagnostics. In Spain, the ever-expanding “silver” or "longevity" market underscores the importance of increased awareness and accessible screening. The most common screening method is the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test, which measures the level of PSA in the blood. While prostate cancer screening isn’t mandatory, it’s recommended for men over 50, especially those with a family history. High levels of PSA can indicate prostate cancer, but may also result from other prostate conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostatitis.
A CHANCE ENCOUNTER THAT SAVED MY LIFE
The path to discovering a serious health condition often begins with the smallest of moments. For John, it was an unexpected reunion with an old family friend that potentially saved his life.
"It was pure chance, really," he recalls, settling into his chair as he shares his story. "I bumped into a friend, someone I hadn't seen in many years. She told me about her husband's prostate cancer diagnosis and insisted that my brother and I should get PSA tests done."
Like many men, John had no symptoms and might never have considered getting tested. "It wouldn't have crossed my mind," he admits. Though he initially left the suggestion on the "back burner," he acted on it during a routine doctor's visit about six months later.
What followed, was a journey that would highlight both the importance of prostate cancer screening and the need for patience—and sometimes persistence—with the medical system. His initial PSA test returned a reading of 9, a number that John now knows should have raised more immediate concerns.
"When the doctor said it was 'slightly high,' I look back now and think that was quite an understatement," he reflects. The standard protocol followed: a second test four weeks later showed a marginal decrease to just over 8, prompting a wait-and-see approach and a third test four weeks after that. "That's a 12-week delay just to get on the radar," John notes, with the wisdom of hindsight.
Regarding PSA levels:
- A PSA level below 4 ng/mL is generally considered low, though men with levels under 4 can still have prostate cancer.
- Levels between 4 and 10 ng/mL are often classified as "borderline," with around a 25% chance of prostate cancer.
- PSA levels above 10 ng/mL significantly increase the likelihood of prostate cancer, with a greater than 50% risk.
NAVIGATING THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
The journey from initial testing to diagnosis followed a methodical if somewhat prolonged path. After the series of PSA tests, John underwent a scan that revealed some abnormalities, leading to the crucial next step: a biopsy. "The biopsy is the only thing that conclusively tells them if you've got prostate cancer," he explains. "The PSA test is just an indicator."
The biopsy process, while thorough, involves taking multiple samples from different areas of the prostate to ensure accuracy. For John, this definitive test came in May, several months after his initial PSA test in January. By August, he had undergone surgery to remove his prostate.
"Looking back at the timeline," he reflects, "from that first doctor's visit in January to having the prostate removed in August—that's a significant journey." When asked what advice he'd give others in a similar situation today, his response is immediate and emphatic: "I would insist on being referred to the hospital right away. Don't let yourself be put off."
FACING THE DIAGNOSIS
Like many patients in the digital age, John turned to the internet for information— "I would urge everyone not to Google symptoms and such, because everyone's different. What you read might apply to somebody, but not the next person. Get the facts from your doctors, surgeons, and established support organisations instead." (See the end of this article for information on support services available in Spain.)
THE EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER
Initially, John's outlook was optimistic. "Because it hadn't spread, I thought once it was taken out, everything would be rosy again," he shares. This initial optimism seemed justified when his first few post-surgery PSA tests came back clear. "I was upbeat. I thought I'd beaten this."
However, a subsequent PSA test revealed an unexpected turn: the cancer hadn't completely gone. "That's when it all changed for me psychologically," John reflects. What followed was another challenging period of waiting and monitoring—three months of regular PSA tests to confirm the trend. Though the numbers were much lower than pre-surgery (about a hundredth of the original readings), they were slowly rising.
"I had moments or days of sitting in rooms just crying," he admits, sharing the emotional toll of the uncertainty. Yet, physically, he experienced few symptoms beyond the expected effects of surgery. "I never felt physically damaged," he notes. "I was still fit and well."
The word "cancer" itself became a source of anxiety. "I just don't like the word that starts with C," John admits. "It frightens the living daylights out of me." This fear, combined with others' attempts at reassurance, initially led him to withdraw. "I didn't really want to talk about it very much." Yet here he is, sharing his story: "I'm happy to talk about it if it helps one person."
STAYING ACTIVE THROUGH TREATMENT
As radiotherapy treatment approached, John made a conscious decision to prioritize his fitness. "The list of side effects from radiotherapy is enormous," he explains. "I wasn’t symptomatic, or feeling unwell in myself, so to give myself the best chance I worked really hard on my fitness before treatment started." This wasn't doctor's orders—it was his own initiative to take control where he could.
In what would prove to be a pivotal decision, John took up padel tennis. "A friend I've known for probably 30 years suggested I try this new sport at Winchester Club, in the UK" he explains. Initially, he was hesitant—characteristic of his previous approach to new situations.
"In the old days, if I had to go to a social event, I just couldn't cope with meeting new people. I'm really proud of myself that I can talk about this now," he reflects. "There's just no way I would have done this before."
Padel tennis became not just exercise, but therapy. "It was massive in that it just took my mind away from it," John says. "I was probably playing virtually every day, really pushing myself—probably too much. But I just thought, 'I might not be able to play padel again.' I had no idea what side effects I might suffer from, so I gave it everything."
THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF PADEL
What began as simply a means of getting stronger during treatment has evolved into something far more meaningful for John. "It means the world to me, actually," he explains, "because I think it's such an amazing sport for anyone of any age to play."
The accessibility of padel tennis sets it apart from other racket sports. "Being able to have a game probably virtually straight away is amazing," John enthuses. "If you look at tennis or squash, they're very difficult games to pick up." The unique design of a padel court - smaller than a tennis court and enclosed by glass walls - makes it more approachable and enjoyable for beginners.
A GAME FOR EVERYONE
The physical layout of the court creates a more forgiving game. "When balls come past you in tennis, that's the end of it. But on a padel court, you've got glass all the way around," John explains. "If the ball bounces, it can hit the glass, and as long as it's bouncing back to somewhere you can get it, you're still in the game." These rules make the walls an integral part of the strategy: "The wall is part of the game. A massive part of the game."
"You don't even have to be any good," John emphasizes. "You've got the physical side of it, which is fantastic. You've got the social side, which is fantastic. Everyone I talk to, people that have tried it are hooked."
RADIOTHERAPY: THE SILENT ROOM
The radiotherapy department, meanwhile, presented John with a new and challenging reality. Despite being physically fit, often arriving in his sports gear ready for his next game, he found himself struggling emotionally. "I really struggled the first few goes up there," he admits. "Lots of meltdowns."
The treatment room had its own peculiar rhythm. Patients would arrive, find a chair, and drink the required amounts of water—everyone following the same careful protocol. Yet despite sharing this intimate space and experience, "everyone generally just sat in silence." It was a poignant illustration of how men, particularly, often struggle to discuss health concerns and emotional experiences.
BREAKING THROUGH THE SILENCE
After experiencing an emotional breakdown at the therapy centre, John was offered therapy sessions. "I had eight sessions to run alongside the seven weeks of treatment," he explains. "It was just lovely to have someone to talk to outside of family or friends." The support came through a local cancer charity operating within the hospital—a crucial lifeline during this challenging period.
Ironically, it wasn't until his final week of treatment that meaningful conversations began to emerge among the patients. "Everyone kind of knows what everyone's doing, because you've got to go to the loo. You can't be too full. You can't be too empty." Yet despite sharing this intimate space and experience, "everyone generally just sat in silence."
"People would commonly ask 'how many days have you got left?'" he recalls. "You start chatting only at that point, which is quite bizarre really, because it's kind of too late to truly connect."
Nonetheless, these late-breaking conversations revealed the profound struggles some of his fellow patients were experiencing. Two men in particular opened up about having thoughts about taking their lives—revelations that prompted John to alert the nursing staff, ensuring they received the mental health support they desperately needed.
While John had been helping others by alerting staff to his fellow patients' mental health struggles, he too was fighting his own battles. With remarkable candour, he acknowledges having had suicidal thoughts himself—a testament to the profound psychological impact of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Support fortunately came through multiple channels: his doctor, the Arc cancer charity's counselling services, and various specialist healthcare professionals.
The end of radiotherapy, however, brought its own challenges. "Suddenly I had nothing," John recalls of his last treatment day. "That didn't work for me at all." While further therapy sessions were arranged, the prospect of them ending creates anxiety, highlighting the ongoing nature of emotional recovery. "It's a journey," John notes. "It's never really a closed book."
FINDING NEW STRENGTH
Perhaps surprisingly, this challenging journey has led to unexpected positive changes. "To put a positive spin on what I've been through," John reflects, "I'm more outgoing, I've met some lovely people, and I'm just trying to get on with it, really."
His commitment to padel and fitness has become a cornerstone of his recovery. "I find it a massive boost for my mental health," he says. "I can look in the mirror now at my age, and I look the best I've ever looked." This physical transformation mirrors a deeper personal evolution.
The changes extend far beyond the physical. "I wouldn't have come out to Spain in March this year," he says, referring to a trip with fellow padel players. "I wouldn't have spoken to you, or to the other guys at the gym. There are just so many people I met, just chatting, and everyone's got their own story. It's lovely to hear people's life stories, to be honest."
Despite this positive transformation, John remains realistic about the challenges. "You can't let it get on top of you, although it does sometimes," he admits. He's particularly conscious that not everyone has the same opportunities or resources. "It's terrible for people that literally can't do anything for themselves. You'll probably find they resign to their situation a lot more rather than fighting it."
Looking ahead, John sees value in sharing his experience. "If there can just be any signposting in this so that people at least have somewhere to look, or people to call," he reflects, aware that many people living well today might be unprepared for unexpected health challenges.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
As 2024 draws to a close, John's plans for 2025 revolve around the sport that has given him so much. "I want to keep getting physically stronger to counterbalance the drugs," he shares. "My plan is to come out to Spain, complete a padel coaching course, and to spend part of my life in Spain and some of it back in the UK."
Already, he's giving back through the sport. "I volunteer down at Winchester to coach some disadvantaged kids," he explains. "They can't afford coaching so I do it for nothing. I'm not in it for money." He sees the potential impact, particularly for young people: "There's so much going on and England's so difficult right now,
like the trouble they could be getting into. To give them that distraction and the social experience of padel - in the same way that it's distracted me and made me stronger and more connected with people.”
"I'm really lucky that I've had sport my whole life," John reflects. "It keeps you in a better place. I also can’t thank my friends, family, and the new people I've met along the way, enough. Their support has been incredible, and it’s given me the strength to keep pushing forward and find joy in each day."
This interview took place just as six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis is terminal, at just 47 years old. The cycling legend has called for mandatory prostate cancer testing in the UK; highlighting how this disease can affect men of any age or fitness level, and emphasising the critical importance of early detection. While Hoy revealed his cancer had already spread before his diagnosis, John's chance encounter while he was symptom-free led to an earlier intervention, underlining the potentially life-saving value of timely testing.
SUPPORT SERVICES DIRECTORY
If you are affected by any of the topics discussed in this article, please reach out to any of the support organisations we have included below.
● Cancer Support Services, Spain
CUDECA Cancer Care - Located on the Costa del Sol, CUDECA provides palliative care and support in multiple languages with a dedicated team of professionals and volunteers. English-speaking support is available. www.cudeca.org/en
Mental Health Support, Spain
Samaritans in Spain - Free, confidential listening service for English speakers in Spain, available daily from 10 am to 10 pm. Freephone: 900 525 100. For anyone experiencing emotional distress or needing someone to talk to. www.samaritansinspain.com
● Padel Tennis Resources, Spain
Federación Andaluza de Padel (FAP) Regional padel tennis resource for Andalusia, offering information on local clubs, courts, and tournament schedules. www.fap.es
Federación Española de Padel (FEP) National padel tennis organization providing information on affiliated clubs and facilities across Spain. www.Padelfederacion.es
● UK Health Resources
NHS Prostate Cancer Information Provides comprehensive information on prostate cancer, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer
Macmillan Cancer Support Offers support and resources for people affected by cancer, including guidance on diagnosis, treatment, and living with cancer. www.macmillan.org.uk
Arc Cancer Charity Provides counselling services, support groups, and educational resources for individuals affected by cancer. www.arc-cancer.org
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