A man who beat prostate cancer is now counselling patients who are going through the same ordeal.

Brian Thurling survived the deadly disease, which kills 10,000 men a year, and a further two years of incontinence problems.

As a result of his experiences, he now gives talks to professional groups and counsels other men about to undergo the same operation.

Mr Thurling, 70, of Thornbank Avenue, Oakworth, said: "If the doctors have any patients who are concerned about their operation or what is going to happen, then I'm quite happy to speak to them on a one to one basis.

"They can ask me any questions. Often they ring me up and don't even give their name. It just reassures them about what is going to happen."

In the run to prostate cancer awareness week, which begins on Monday, he is now urging men who think they may have symptoms of the disease to see their doctor before it is too late.

Mr Thurling, who retired as a legal executive in 2000 -- the same year as being diagnosed with cancer -- said: "Thanks to early detection by my GP, my cancer, which was later discovered to be aggressive, was removed by an operation.

"My advice to men with any problems at all related to their water works is to get them checked out straight away.

"It's amazing that men get their cars straight to a mechanic at the first sign of a problem but when it comes to their own bodies they often leave it until it's too late.

"Next week is about getting the message across. Whatever's wrong, go and sort it out."

Mr Thurling's problems began in 1999 with a pain in the groin. After being referred to Airedale Hospital, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Together with doctors, he decided on a radical prostatectomy -- surgery to remove the whole prostate gland.

However, as a result of the operation, Mr Thurling developed incontinence problems for two years until undergoing another operation to insert an artificial sphincter.

A series of events are to be held to mark awareness week.

On Wednesday, Airedale men's health team will give a talk to around 50 members of Branshaw Golf Club, in Oakworth.

Simon Jowitt, club secretary, said: "We have members from 10 to 86 and some of them have been affected by prostate cancer.

"Discussing the problem on the golf course is a new approach to getting some of these serious messages across."

The Turkey Inn, at Goose Eye, will also hold a special pub quiz on Wednesday as part of the Prostate Cancer Charity's "Real Man" pub campaign.

Merv Pemberton, men's health advisor for Airedale Primary Care Trust, said: "Public awareness of the prostate gland and prostate cancer is still very low.

"We hope these events will help men to understand more about this disease and will motivate them, if necessary, to seek medical advice before it's too late."

Every hour at least one man dies from the disease, with 27,000 men diagnosed each year.

For more information about prostate cancer, call the charity's confidential hotline on 0845 3008383 or visit www.prostate-cancer.org.uk.

Symptoms of prostate cancer

- lower back pain

- difficulty in getting or keeping an erection

- pain in hips or pelvis

- blood in the urine.

- passing urine more frequently than usual

- difficulty in passing urine