Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Evison is using Prostate Cancer Awareness Month this March to highlight the importance of early detection, sharing his personal journey with the disease to encourage men to take their health seriously.
The Commissioner was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the summer of 2023. Initially considering surgery, he was advised to undergo 20 sessions of external beam radiotherapy in early summer 2024. By December 2024, he was given the all-clear. Reflecting on his experience, he emphasised the profound impact of the diagnosis on his life and family.
Jonathan became aware of potential symptoms—frequent night-time urination and occasional blood in his urine—partly due to his father’s history of an enlarged prostate. This awareness prompted him to seek medical advice, ultimately leading to an early diagnosis and successful treatment.
Prostate cancer often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, making awareness and regular health checks vital. Men over 50, Black men, and those with a family history of prostate cancer are at a higher risk.
In the Humber region alone, around 11,287 men are either living with or have survived prostate cancer, with over 1,100 new cases diagnosed annually. Alarmingly, more than a quarter of these cases are detected at Stage 4, when the disease is incurable. This stark reality underscores the need for early testing and proactive health monitoring.
The Commissioner is urging men to use resources like the Prostate Cancer UK online risk checker, which takes just 30 seconds to assess individual risk levels. He also dispels common misconceptions about testing, clarifying that initial screenings often involve a simple PSA blood test rather than an invasive physical examination.
He credits the outstanding care he received at Castle Hill Hospital and strongly encourages men to speak to their GPs, as early detection can be life-saving.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month brings a host of initiatives aimed at raising awareness and promoting men’s health. March the Month is a virtual challenge encouraging participants to walk or wheel 11,000 steps daily throughout March, representing the over 11,000 men who die from prostate cancer annually in the UK (marchthemonth.prostatecanceruk.org). The Prostate Cancer Wellbeing Event, taking place on 19th March at the Elmbridge Xcel Sports Hub in Walton-on-Thames, provides resources and support for those affected by prostate cancer (hershamsurgery.nhs.uk). On 10th March, Leeds City Council is hosting an informative session, ‘Want to Know More About… Prostate Cancer’, offering insights into the disease and risk factors (eventbrite.co.uk).
Commissioner Evison’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection and proactive health management. By sharing his experience, he hopes to encourage men to take charge of their health, utilise available resources, and engage in open conversations about prostate cancer.
This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the message is clear: don’t wait—get checked.