Paul Bodin, a former defender for Wales and Swindon Town, has disclosed a prostate cancer diagnosis.
A regular test in April raised the possibility of a problem for the 59-year-old, and in the last few weeks, a biopsy confirmed the diagnosis.
It’s difficult to discuss. However, I believe I need to spread the word about it,” Bodin said to BBC Radio Wiltshire.
He also described how his diagnosis came about.
“Every year I’ve been having an annual PSA [prostate-specific antigen] test,” said Bodin.
“And back in April it just flagged up that it was a little bit higher than it should have been. I was re-tested and everything was fine. I went back at the end of August and it was quite high again.
“The local NHS surgery, Ridge Green Surgery, which has been brilliant throughout this, sent me for a scan and unfortunately the scan showed the prostate was enlarged and there was a good chance it was cancer.
“So then it was a case of having a biopsy. And of course all this time you’re waiting and all sorts of things go through your mind, but you always think it’s not me.
“But in this instance the biopsy proved that it was cancerous. But I had my meeting last Monday and the prognosis was good, that it can be removed and also it can be treated.”
Bodin played for Swindon Town twice, from 1988–1991 and 1992–1996. He also got 23 caps for Wales.
Prior to stepping down in July 2022, he served as the Wales Under-21 coach.
“We see it on TV every day, ‘one in two people are going to get cancer in their lifetime’, but you always think it’s not going to be you,” Bodin added.
However, I believe I’ve only noticed football players wearing prostate cancer awareness badges on TV sports events during the past five years.
“Be mindful of it; it exists and, naturally, as we age, we become more vulnerable to it.
“It’s me right now, and I have to be strong with everything.”the people around me and hopefully everything will be fine.
“You’ve just got to live your normal life, as I said I’ve got no symptoms so I’m playing golf once or twice a week, coming to the County Ground to watch some great football this season, going to Oxford down the road to see Bill [son Billy Bodin] as well.
“I’m living a normal life, I’m going to the gym I’m doing all my normal activities and I don’t feel a thing.
“It’s a simple blood test, you go to your local surgery and say you would like a PSA test and you’re in and out in two minutes.
“Within a couple of days the results come through and as I said that’s exactly where I was back in April so that was the first sign and I thought that won’t be me.
“It’s amazing, I feel absolutely fine. It’s difficult to talk about obviously but the message from me is please, please go and get checked.”
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