AN Andover man who used £16,000 from his life savings to become the first man in the UK to be treated at the Proton Therapy Center in Prague for prostate cancer has sung the praises of his life-changing treatment.

Three years ago Joe Tuftnell was diagnosed with raised PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels and a biopsy confirmed he had a cancerous growth in his prostate.

NHS consultants recommended active surveillance and said that if it did worsen, he would be offered conventional radiotherapy.

Mr Tuftnell was not prepared to wait as he researched the side-effects of NHS treatments offered which had a 50 per cent chance of serious bladder and bowel problems afterwards, plus a high risk of impotence.

He said: “My consultant didn’t recommend proton therapy to me, they advised me to sit and wait.

“I didn’t want to wait around and see what happened, risking my quality of life in the future if I had radiotherapy here in the UK.

“I wasn’t worried about travelling abroad for treatment.

“I felt confident with what I heard from the consultants at the therapy centre. “They told me any side effects would be minimal, if any, and they were right – there haven’t been any.

“I didn’t want the years of my retirement blighted by side-effects from conventional radiotherapy, that’s what really made up my mind to seek treatment in Prague.”

He had to pay for the treatment himself and, as his cancer was not at an advanced stage, it cost him £16,000, which he had to take from his life savings.

The retired IBM engineer, who is married with two grown-up children, was treated over five sessions – one every other day for almost a two-week period. He then returned to the UK, with no pain, discomfort or side effects.

Joe added: “I feel well, I am happy, healthy and more than satisfied with my treatment. I would recommend anyone diagnosed with prostate cancer looks into proton therapy treatment, it could make a big difference to their quality of life.”