An ultra-marathon runner who continues to outlive his prognosis is backing a major prostate cancer campaign to urge thousands of ‘missing’ men to complete a 30 second online risk checker which can save lives.

In 2014, Kevin Webber, 56, was given just two years to live after being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.

However, with the help of a drug he has taken over the past seven years, Kevin has defied expectations and is still going strong, running ultra-marathons around the world. He ran in the Arctic to -50c and then a month later in the Sahara at +50°C and raced in Brighton and London Marathons on weeks 13 and 15 of chemotherapy. You can learn more about his journey here.

According to Prostate Cancer UK, 58,000 men in England have started treatment for prostate cancer since the start of the pandemic. However, that is 14,000 fewer than expected based on pre-pandemic data.

NHS England and Improvement and Prostate Cancer UK have joined forces to help find these men who need treatment but have not yet come forward for a diagnosis.  

Prostate Cancer UK has developed a 30-second-risk checker to help men understand their risk. 

Kevin said “My diagnosis rocked my whole world. The hardest part was having to tell my family. However, with time and support, I have used the opportunity to do something positive which gets me out of bed each morning.

“As we get older, it’s really important that we have regular health check-ups when needed, and that we seek help if we’re concerned about symptoms.”

NHS South East Medical Director Vaughan Lewis said: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, but the pandemic has resulted in thousands of men not coming forward for diagnosis. These men could be missing out on lifesaving treatment and need to be encouraged to come forward.

“It’s important that men understand that prostate cancer often doesn’t show any symptoms at an early stage. The 30-second risk checker online tool could however prove to be lifesaving.

He added: “1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer. This could be your dad, uncle, brother, partner, or best friend, so please help us raise awareness of the online tool as, if caught early, prostate cancer is very treatable.

“Anyone who does experience symptoms, such as problems urinating or needing to go to the toilet more often, should speak to their doctor to get checked.”

Since his diagnosis, Kevin has raised over £250,000 for Prostate Cancer UK. He has also published a book called Dead Man Running about his diagnosis and his ongoing mission to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

Actor Stephen Fry and BBC presenter Bill Turnbull are supporting this latest cancer campaign as it is something very personal to them having both been diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2017 and 2018.