‘I’ve outlived my prognosis by years’: Living with prostate cancer

Gearóid Bradley was diagnosed with stage-4 prostate cancer in 2023 and given months to live. He says seeking support has been vital to maintaining his mental wellbeing

Gearóid Bradley who has stage four prostate cancer. 'I decided that I was going to be outgoing, talk to everyone, and not suffocate under the weight of the disease.' Photo: Moya Nolan

WHEN Gearóid Bradley was initially referred for an MRI of his prostate, he wasn’t unduly concerned. The appointment was not due to take place for almost six months. However, he decided to go for a private consultation to put his mind at ease. 

In March 2023, following an MRI and a CT scan, he was shocked by the findings. The now 74-year-old was told he had aggressive, stage-four prostate cancer, with initial indications suggesting he had between three and five months to live.

“It was a very lonely and traumatic situation, and my family were devastated,” Bradley says. “But, I was never angry, as I have a strong faith, which continues to be important to me on my journey.”

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men in Ireland. Some 4,500 men are diagnosed with it here each year.

While reading up on his diagnosis, Bradley came across research that more than 47% of stage-four prostate cancer patients suffer from mental health issues. “I decided that I was going to be outgoing, talk to everyone, and not suffocate under the weight of the disease.”

But while the retired chemical engineer and sales and business consultant found solace with other patients who were going through similar situations, he was often in tears as he found it difficult to “express adequately” what he was feeling.

“My dearest wife, Catherine, was struggling with the thought of having to live alone in the near future,” he says.

“But while she is my main support, at times she cannot fully understand my situation, so I am indebted to my friend, Frank — who has been through it all and more — for taking the time to listen and help me through those very difficult, dark times and see some hope.”

Bradley underwent six chemotherapy sessions between April and July 2023.

“While the first four sessions were tolerable, the cumulative effect began to take an enormous toll on me. I had no energy and was just trying to survive and try to see through the haze of this part of my initial treatment.”

In late August 2023, the father of three began 39 sessions of radiation, followed by a course of hormonal treatments. But in May last year, he underwent further tests, which found that the cancer had spread to his bones, and he needed to start a new course of medication.

“A recurring feature of the prostate cancer journey is that just as you begin to get some form of normality [after one treatment], you undergo another treatment that knocks you out,” he says.

Bradley has recently completed six sessions of treatment, combining radium-223 — a targeted radiation therapy — with other drugs for prostate cancer that has spread to the bones.

As he experienced with previous treatments, he initially felt fairly good, but lately has started to feel very tired and struggles to take even short walks and do minimal tasks.

“At night, I have to go to the WC very frequently, which is a difficult scenario. I can also forget what I am trying to say, on occasion. In addition to that, I have lost my appetite and have experienced a subsequent loss of weight.”

Gearóid Bradley underwent six chemotherapy sessions between April and July 2023. Photo: Moya Nolan

Although the last few years have been challenging, the Dublin man has survived more than three years since his diagnosis, having initially been told his life expectancy was measured in months.

But while he feels exhausted most of the time, he is very grateful for the additional time and would encourage others in a similar situation to be as open as possible about their diagnosis and avail themselves of all support.

“While we cannot beat this curse of a cancer, we can only continue to maintain a good sense of humour, be hopeful, and take each day as it comes, “ he says.

“I am bursting with hope that I can get another five to 10 years somehow. I try to avoid using or referring to the word ‘terminal’, as it knocks on the head any idea of hope.”

His ongoing involvement with support organisations — Prostate Cancer Ireland, Marie Keating Foundation, ARC and United Cancer Advocates Network (UCAN) — is critical to his sense of wellbeing.

“In many ways, I have been blessed to have met so many caring, compassionate, and wonderful people. It’s only when you are in the ‘trenches’ that you really appreciate the simple, compassionate things that people can do for each other: A handshake, a hug, a smile, a listening ear or a visit, if possible.

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“I have a few friends I’ve known for decades who now regularly ring and meet me for a chat and a coffee — they have come up trumps. But there are other friends of old who have never even knocked on the door.”

To those diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, he urges them to, “Talk, talk, and talk. Seek out another stage-four patient, if possible, who is further along on this journey. Don’t be one of the 47% who will suffer from a mental illness. There are cancer support groups all over the country, so get involved. But do not believe you can pull through this in a ‘stoical’ fashion or you’ll blow a fuse.”

The Marie Keating Positive Living programme is a free support group for people living with stage-4 or metastatic cancer. 

Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer

Early prostate cancer is often present without any obvious symptoms. However, if you have any of the symptoms listed below, make an appointment with your doctor.

• Dysuria — difficulty and pain passing urine;
• Urgency — difficult to postpone passing urine;
• Frequency — going to the toilet more frequently than before;
• Nocturia — getting up more than twice a night to pass urine;
• Hesitancy — taking time to get going when passing urine;
• Flow — has become weak or intermittent;
• Incomplete emptying — feeling that the bladder has not emptied;
• Blood present in the urine.

Less common symptoms:

• Trouble having or keeping an erection;
• Lower back pain or pain in hips or upper thighs.
  

Note: As men age, the prostate often enlarges, which can cause urinary symptoms. This condition is more common than prostate cancer, although both can occur together.