If you work outside, chances are you already feel pretty healthy. You’re on your feet all day, physically active, no shortage of fresh air. It’s easy to assume that this kind of lifestyle keeps the risks at bay. In truth, that assumption, while understandable, can be misleading. Feeling fit doesn’t always mean you’re well. Some things don’t show themselves until it’s far too late, and prostate cancer is one of them.
Today I took time out to have a PSA test. Nothing complicated, just a straightforward blood test to check for prostate-specific antigen levels. It took all of ten minutes. No drama. The reason I’m writing about it is because, like many others working outdoors whether on estates, in forestry, agriculture, or conservation, I’ve been guilty of not prioritising my own health. When the days are long, the work physical, and there’s always something needing doing, putting yourself first doesn’t feel urgent.
But the reality is, men in our industry aren’t exempt from risk. Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer among men in the UK.
One in eight will face a diagnosis during their lifetime.
And it doesn’t tend to show symptoms early on. That’s the dangerous part. No warning, no obvious pain just time passing, and options narrowing.
We’re often better at maintaining our tools, rifles, or vehicles than our own health. We plan for everything else, weather, seasons, fencing, feed. But when it comes to personal health, we put it off. The truth is, this needs to be treated like any other part of responsible land management. Get ahead of the problem, act before the damage is done.
Booking the test was easy. I went through PCaSO, who run free and low-cost PSA testing events across the South. I turned up, had the blood sample taken, and was back out within fifteen minutes. That was it. Done. No cost, no fuss just the knowledge that if anything looked off, I’d catch it early.
That’s not just responsible it’s basic self-respect, and a nod to the people who rely on you.
Let’s not pretend the test is perfect. It won’t give you a yes or no answer on its own. But it gives a clear enough indication to act on, an early flag. That’s what good management looks like in any area. You don’t ignore the signs; you intervene before things fall apart.
And look, none of us particularly enjoy sitting in GP waiting rooms or talking about medical issues. But that’s the point, if we can normalise ten minutes a year to do something that could prevent months or years of suffering, we should. Especially when so many of us would never dream of letting our work fall into neglect. Why treat yourself with less care than the land you manage?
If you're over 40, or younger with a family history, this is something you should take seriously. Especially if, like me, your days are spent outdoors, doing physical work and assuming that effort equates to health. It often does, but not always. Some things develop quietly, and only a test will catch them in time.
Head to https://pcaso.mypsatests.org.uk to find your nearest testing date. It’s simple. It’s free or affordable. And it could be the best ten minutes you give yourself all year.
You wouldn’t ignore an issue with a chainsaw, quad, or rifle. Don’t ignore this either. I’ve done the test. You can too.
