Former Newcastle goalkeeper Hislop reveals treatment for prostate cancer

The former Newcastle, West Ham and Portsmouth goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has revealed he has prostate cancer, which has spread to his pelvic bone. Hislop said he had been diagnosed with “a fairly aggressive prostate cancer” about 18 months ago, which required surgery. Further tests showed the cancer had spread.

“Roughly 18 months ago, I went for my annual physical and insisted on a PSA test, as I always do,” Hislop, 56, said in a video on Instagram. “This time around though my PSA was elevated. An MRI and biopsy quickly determined that I had a fairly aggressive prostate cancer.

“A year ago, almost to the day, 6 December to be exact, I had a radical prostatectomy, and I thought that was it. But then, six months later, my PSA was again on the rise and another scan showed that my prostate cancer had spread to my pelvic bone. I started on medication pretty soon after, and just this morning completed seven and a half weeks of radiation therapy. The journey continues.”

In a draft recommendation last week, the UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC), which advises the government, said prostate cancer screening should not be made routinely available for the vast majority of men in the UK. Hislop, who played for Trinidad and Tobago at the 2006 World Cup, has urged anyone concerned to get tested.

“Doctors recommend that all men over the age of 50 get their PSA checked regularly,” he said. “If you’re of African descent, that age drops to 40. If you’re somewhere like the UK or somewhere else where PSA tests aren’t encouraged, you have got to insist.

“Having a history of cancer in the family doesn’t matter. I had genetic testing done and it showed no traits in my family, yet this year would show that, without going into too much detail, even that didn’t exclude everybody in my immediate family.

“The highest rate of prostate cancer mortality is in Caribbean men, so if you allow me to speak to my community, my people. Please, go get tested, know your PSA, track – its history. Prostate cancer is survivable if caught early enough. There are treatments for it. Testing saves lives. It saved mine.”