From volatile hostage situations to prickly political encounters, former Governor Martyn Roper has overcome his share of challenges. Recently, he faced his biggest challenge yet after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“It was a shock, though it wasn’t a complete surprise because of my brother [Simon, who also had prostate cancer]”, Roper told the Cayman Compass via email on Thursday as he opened up about his diagnosis and subsequent cancer surgery.
Roper, 59, served four-and-a-half years as governor and left the Cayman Islands in March last year, retiring from his 40-year UK diplomatic career.
Though more than a year has passed since his departure, the Cayman community remains dear to Roper’s heart. That is why he wanted to come forward with his experience, to encourage men here and in the UK to get tested.
“Only a year after retiring from HM Diplomatic Service, and departing as Governor of the Cayman Islands, I never imagined I’d be battling prostate cancer,” Roper said in a written post he shared with the Compass.
Family history, increased risk
Roper, a Halifax, West Yorkshire native, said he knew he had a heightened risk after his younger brother was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 52.
“My brother Simon’s experience underlined the crucial importance of spotting it early and keeping a close eye on my [prostate specific antigen] level,” Roper said, adding that it was through those close checks that the cancer was detected.
Roper said he had taken the PSA blood test for years, and the level had started to increase slightly.
“I had no symptoms at all but had further tests because of my family history,” he explained.
Roper said there “is a lot of anxiety until the details of the precise diagnosis and seriousness are confirmed”.
In July, his doctors confirmed he had prostate cancer.
“Frighteningly, as in my case, most men with early prostate cancer will have no symptoms at all. For many men in the above high-risk groups, it is discovered too late to be cured. Sadly, that is the case with my brother. Thankfully, his treatment (radiotherapy and hormone therapy) has kept his cancer in remission for many years now,” Roper said.
At risk for prostate cancer:
Men with a father or brother who had prostate cancer have a 2-4 times higher risk.
Men of African descent also are at risk, affecting many as 1 in 4 black men in the UK. (Prostate Cancer UK statistics).
Fortunately for Roper, the cancer had not spread beyond the prostate.
“Everyone was relieved that we had caught it early and that the prognosis was a positive one after surgery,” he said.
Roper’s cancer experience played out as he was welcoming the family’s first grandchild, George, born to his son Matthew and son’s wife Alice.
“There was a lot going on,” he said.
He said the entire cancer experience has made “me appreciate how much my family and friends have rallied round. How important it is to have good health. And that we should live for today and enjoy life to the full.”
Benefits of staying fit
Roper shared that he opted to have a radical prostatectomy on 2 Oct. to remove the cancer.
“I am making a very good recovery. There is a strong likelihood that all the cancer was removed. The [UK] National Health Service surgeon, nurses and all the staff at Hereford County Hospital were brilliant. Despite the evident pressure the NHS is under, the care, compassion and kindness of everyone I had contact with shone out,” he said in the post he shared.
Months before his diagnosis and the surgery, he said, “I was feeling fit and healthy. I ran a half marathon in Bath in March”.
Roper, an avid runner who spent his mornings in Cayman running on Seven Mile Beach and participating in local marathons, said, as part of his recovery, he will need to take it easy for another four weeks.
He said he was also looking forward to running the Cayman half marathon in December but, “[I] had to postpone our visit”.
He said he was told that being fit helped him get through the surgery.
“It will aid my recovery,” he added.
Roper said a number of men he knew in the UK immediately got tested because of his experience.
“If even more people get tested by my going public, it will have served a useful purpose. We are much more open about health these days, which is a good thing as it raises awareness and tackles cultural barriers,” he said.
Testing ‘may save your life’
Roper said his experience, and that of many others, underlines why all men over 50 should be tested early and regularly.
“Men in the high-risk groups should do so from age 40. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test is not 100% reliable. But it is all we have at present. It is normal to have some PSA in the blood. If the PSA score is higher than normal, it might mean a man has prostate cancer or some other prostate issue,” he said.
When caught early the chances of removing the cancer completely are much higher. The simple blood test may pick up some cancers that are very slow growing and won’t need immediate treatment. But it can pick up fast growing and aggressive cancers
– Former Governor Martyn Roper
The PSA test can lead to more tests, such as an MRI scan or biopsy to determine the prognosis.
“When caught early, the chances of removing the cancer completely are much higher. The simple blood test may pick up some cancers that are very slow growing and won’t need immediate treatment. But it can pick up fast-growing and aggressive cancers,” he added.
Roper is urging men in the Cayman Islands to take their health seriously and not put off getting tested.
“Go to the doctor to get checked out. It may save your life. My experience underlines how important it is to be proactive about our health,” he said.
The true picture of prostate cancer is unknown in the Cayman Islands; reporting cancer diagnoses to the cancer registry is not mandated. However, Roper shared that, according to Prostate Cancer UK, 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime.
“Over 50,000 men get it each year in the UK. Twelve thousand die every year,” he said.
The prostate is part of the male reproductive system. It is located in front of the rectum and below the bladder. Prostate cancer is diagnosed when cells in the prostate behave abnormally and multiply without control, forming a malignant tumour.
Roper, who now works as a senior adviser at strategic communications consultancy firm Kreab Worldwide, said he had to pause his activities for a month after having “re-wired” his life following his 40-year diplomatic career.
Roper’s story comes ahead of Movember, which focuses on men’s health, including prostate cancer awareness, in the month of November.
The Lions Club of Grand Cayman is also hosting its prostate and testicular cancer event to spread the word about getting tested.
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