A STOURPORT man has a new lease of life after undergoing revolutionary prostate surgery - a treatment still in its infancy.

Peter McIvor, of Golden Hind Drive, discovered he had prostate cancer last September and feared the worst but, within weeks of having keyhole prostate surgery, he has returned to work and is enjoying life again.

The 61-year-old is one of 200 patients to have undergone the operation in the West Midlands over the past three years under surgeon, Alan Doherty, at the Priory Hospital in Birmingham.

Mr McIvor, a self-employed toolmaker, is now keen to raise awareness of prostate cancer and the revolutionary new treatment, which has helped to transform his life.

He said: "It was a fluke really, the way I found out I had prostate cancer. I didn't feel unwell at all. I had an eye test and because I had small specks or clouds on my eyes, known as floaters, I was referred to the doctor for some general tests. One was a Prostate Specific-Antigen - PSA - test to help detect prostate cancer.

"My PSA was raised and I was told I would need to go to Kidderminster Hospital for further tests. Two weeks later, I found out I had cancer."

Mr McIvor was fortunate the cancer had not spread beyond the prostate and, after much thought, decided to have a prostatectomy - which involves the complete removal of the prostate through keyhole surgery.

In keyhole surgery, tiny incisions are made, rather than the large cuts necessary in open surgery. A special surgical glue is used to seal the incisions instead of external stitches and recovery time is quicker.

He said: "I must admit that I was very scared by the prospect of the operation. I hadn't been in hospital since 1958. I was worried about being incontinent after the operation, so keyhole surgery appealed to me because the risk of incontinence is reduced.

He added: "The operation was so successful, it was unbelievable. I remember feeling a little bit sore but there was little pain and I was back at home within two days.

"One of my daughters and two grandchildren came round and everyone said they couldn't believe how well I was looking and how mobile I was. I went back to work at the start of January and have resumed walking as a hobby, which is something I've always enjoyed."

Mr McIvor is now urging others to seek help through cancer support groups and to talk about the options available to them. He is also urging men in their 60s to have a PSA test to ensure prostate cancer is caught early.

Mr Doherty said: "This is relatively new here, with only a handful of operations having been carried out in this country, but has been around for some time in France and America.

"There are many advantages to keyhole surgery in that the whole prostate is removed, it's virtually painless and there are fewer side effects. One of the biggest plusses would be the psychological effect on the patient in that they know that the cancer has been completely removed."

For further information and advice, contact the Kidderminster and District Prostate Cancer Support Group on 01562 823424.