A MAN who overcame prostate cancer is urging other men to ‘get checked early and as quickly as possible’.

Eddie Kercher, of Cross Road, Weymouth, hopes his experience of being cured will reassure other prostate cancer sufferers.

His message is: “Come on lads, if in doubt, check it out.”

It comes after Echo employee David Johnston, who is about to undergo radiotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with prostate cancer four years ago, spoke out during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Mr Johnston, 64, of Weymouth, said last week that men should not be afraid to go and get tested.

On average 336 people are diagnosed with the disease every year in West Dorset, with 737 in the county as a whole, according to figures from 2005.

Now Mr Kercher, 78, has come forward to help raise awareness of the issue.

He said: “It’s such a common problem I thought it would be nice to hear from someone who has been cured.

“I know men are scared about going to be tested but it’s no problem.

“You can be alright with prostate cancer if you go quick enough to get it sorted.”

Mr Kercher, who retired to Weymouth 23 years ago with his wife Jean and daughters Debra and Stella, was first tested in 1993 and told he was all clear.

But while he was ‘feeling great’ he said cancer was growing and in 2000 he became concerned when he saw a bit of blood in his urine.

He said: “The doctor sent me for a biopsy and I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“They asked me what method I would like – radiotherapy, chemotherapy or to do nothing with the chance of dying in five years, or have it taken out.

“I said if there’s a bad apple in the basket take it away and they did.”

Mr Kercher was 70 when he underwent the operation at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester.

He praised his surgeon and the ‘lovely’ nurses in the Lulworth Ward for their aftercare.

Now eight years later Mr Kercher is completely clear of cancer and has not suffered any problems other than a bit of incontinence.

He added: “My message is it’s not scary to get tested so do it as quickly as possible.”

For more about prostate cancer visit www.prostate-cancer.org.uk