The Moderator-Designate of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has spoken for the first time about having prostate cancer and urged other men to seek tests if they think they fear they may have symptoms.

 

Reverend Dr Angus Morrison's diagnosis led to him becoming the first Moderator-Designate in history to withdraw from the role.

After accepting the nomination in October 2013, ill health forced him to step aside just weeks before the General Assembly the following May. He was replaced in the role by Kirk principle clerk Rt Rev John Chalmers.

The Church subsequently invited him to take up the position following his return to fitness, and he will step into the role at next month's General Assembly.

In an interview in May's edition of Life and Work, the independent Church of Scotland magazine, Dr Morrison expresses regret he did not consult doctors sooner.

"I am a man who is very slow to go to the doctor with anything and I would just encourage anyone with worries about the same sort of thing to go as soon as possible and have it checked it. It can be easily treated. The important thing is to have it treated in good time," he said.

"I had prostate cancer. I am full of gratitude to the team at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee who carried out my surgery. The doctors involved in my treatment are confident it has been successful. I was overwhelmed by the number of people all over the church who wrote to assure me of their prayers. I fully believe that this had its own impact on the situation. Prayer is power."

Adam Gaines of Prostate Scotland said: "Prostate cancer, when it is diagnosed early, is often treatable and curable, and the good news over the past few years has been the welcome increase in the number of men surviving it.

"However with the NHS in Scotland projecting a further increase in the incidence of prostate cancer over the coming decade there is more that needs to be done to encourage early diagnosis and awareness of prostate cancer and its symptoms and treatments.

"It is therefore very helpful to have someone of the stature of Dr Morrison encourage awareness and urge men with symptoms to seek to have the symptoms checked early. We are very pleased to hear that Dr Morrison's treatment has been successful and wish him well in his role as Moderator."

Prostate cancer can affect 1 in 11 men in Scotland and is the most common cancer amongst men in Scotland.

Cancer Research UK data from last year shows that death rates for prostate cancer fell by 11 per cent.

Improvements in treatment, including surgery, hormone ­therapy, and radiotherapy, as well as earlier diagnosis, are thought to have contributed to the trend of reduced prostate cancer death rates.

Dr Morrison said he was humbled when the 2014 General Assembly asked that he be considered for nomination in 2015, if his health permitted.

"It was so kind and gracious of the Assembly to give me the opportunity. It is a great honour and a great responsibility and I'm very indebted to them," he said.

His experience of healthcare in the NHS as a result of his illness and a desire to champion the cause of hospices will play a key role during his Moderatorial year.

"I have been hugely impressed with the hospices that I have known, both on the islands and in the mainland. The care and compassion that's shown in difficult situations is amazing. They always need our support," he said.

Anyone with concerns about prostate cancer can contact Prostate Cancer UK's Specialist Nurses in confidence on 0800 074 8383 or via the online Live chat, instant messaging service: www.prostatecanceruk.org.

The Specialist Nurse phone service is free to landlines and open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday with late opening until 8pm on Wednesdays.