ABOUT one in eight men will be affected by prostate cancer at some time in their lives.

Those over 50, with a family history are among those more at risk of getting the condition but increasing awareness and seeking medical advice for any changes will help to get a swifter diagnosis and lead to early treatment.

David Coleman hopes his experience with the condition will help others to insist on further tests if they feel something isn't quite right.

Difficulty going to the toilet was the tell-tale sign for David to seek medical attention. He underwent examinations and was initially treated with antibiotics for a swollen prostate.

David's problems continued and, after suffering agonising pains while on holiday with his wife, Julie, last year he insisted on further investigations.

"When we got back my wife took me to the hospital," recalls David.

Eventually he went to see a specialist. Biopsies and bone scans confirmed the diagnosis but the devastating blow was yet to come - the cancer had now spread.

Although he is receiving treatment, the 53-year-old from Bierley, Bradford, is conscious he is coping with a life limiting condition - along with his family.

David, who has two children from his previous marriage - his wife Julie also has two children - says he is trying to put it to the back of his mind but finds it hard, particularly on his family.

"You try to carry on and put it to the back of your mind to the best you can," he says.

David, who works for AWM waste management in Bradford, says his family were keen to rally round to raise funds for Cancer Support Yorkshire, and also to raise awareness of the condition.

His sister, Angela Feather, who runs Dough & Deli an Artisan Bakery & Deli Style sandwich takeaway in Long Street on Easingwold York organised recently organised a charity BBQ in the beautiful surroundings of Dalby Forest near Pickering.

"We have family all over the country and she emailed them all," says David, referring to the many guests who attended their charity event.

Says Angela: "The idea came really because we have a big family far and wide and we don't very often get together."

The event was a great success raising more than £200 for Cancer Support Yorkshire, an independent charity with centres in Bradford and Skipton which provides practical and emotional support to those affected by a cancer diagnosis.

Linda Enderby, fundraiser with Cancer Support Yorkshire, says it is down to local people like David and his family that the charity is able to provide its vital services for people affected by cancer.

"We could not do it without the help of local people. The services we provide there is always a high demand for them and we do support thousands of local people every year," says Linda.

"The services are there but it is because people like David support us."

David is now hoping his story will raise awareness about prostate cancer. He is also urging men who may be concerned about their health to seek medical attention - and insist on further investigations if they feel themselves that something needs to be checked out.

Symptoms of prostate cancer include needing to urinate more often than usual, including at night; difficulty starting to urinate; straining or taking a long time to finish urinating and a weak flow when urinating.

"If anybody is having any sort of problems in the lower region they should insist they have a PSA check," says David, referring to the blood test that measures the amount of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in your blood.

PSA is a protein produced by normal cells in the prostate and also by prostate cancer cells.

It is normal for all men to have a small amount of PSA in their blood. The amount increases with age so while a raised PSA level may suggest there is a problem with the prostate, it is not necessarily cancer.

"I didn't know all this, and other people won't know it unless somebody like myself tells them," says David.

For more information call Cancer Support Yorkshire on 01274 776688 or visit prostatecanceruk.org or call 0800 074 8383.