31 March 2026
A Wolverhampton man has shared his prostate cancer story to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease.
Martin Hodkinson, 65, from Wolverhampton, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017. In 2018, surgeons removed the majority of the cancer, and he has been closely monitored ever since.
Due to the nature of his cancer, Martin is on active surveillance, meaning he regularly meets with a specialist nursing team who keep a close eye on his health and any changes.
Martin said: “When I got diagnosed, it felt awful. I found out a friend had died of prostate cancer around the time I found out, so I thought the same would happen to me.”
Following his surgery, Martin has continued attending regular check-ups and reviews, which help ensure any concerns are picked up early and managed quickly.
He has also accessed support through the Macmillan Hub at New Cross Hospital, which provides information, wellbeing support and activities for patients and their families.
He said: “The Macmillan Hub has been fantastic. I’ve really enjoyed some of their wellness days and the support they offer. It makes such a difference knowing there’s somewhere you can go to talk.”
Martin hopes that by sharing his experience, he can encourage other men not to ignore symptoms and to feel more comfortable talking about prostate cancer.
He added: “I think it’s important to talk about the cancer and not be afraid to tell people and share how important it is to get checked.
“Be positive, keep your mind active, and seek all the support you can, and most importantly look after yourself.”
Anyone with concerns or symptoms is encouraged to contact their GP for advice and to attend routine checks when invited.