A prostate cancer patient who prepared for surgery by joining an exercise group says he now feels fitter than before his diagnosis.
Diagnosis and decision to get fit
Peter McClure discovered he had prostate cancer, Britain's most common cancer, after requesting a PSA test in January 2025. The 65-year-old from Dunley, near Stourport-on-Severn, had always enjoyed walking holidays, gardening and golf. However, he joined fitness classes led by the Always Active group in Stourport last June after being advised to lose weight before his surgery.
Exercise classes and walking football
Peter lost the weight he needed and kept it off after his operation in August. He said: "I was active and fairly fit. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer following a PSA test I had requested with my GP surgery, after discussions with a close friend who had been diagnosed and my former Biology teacher, who is undergoing treatment for stage 4 prostate cancer."
He started attending Always Active exercise classes to get fitter and lose weight before his operation. "I had already started more exercises at home in my garage but wanted some additional support to increase my activities to help me lose weight more quickly," he explained. "The exercise classes were beneficial right from the start, since I was doing exercises I was not doing at home and doing these exercises in a class environment made it more enjoyable."
In addition to the classes, Peter began attending walking football sessions recommended by the group. Together, these helped him reach his target weight loss before surgery. "Through the exercise classes and walking football sessions, I managed to achieve the target weight loss before surgery in August. Following surgery, I am certain that the fitness level I had achieved beforehand put me in a very good position to recover more easily," he said.
Recovery and ongoing benefits
By October, Peter was back to exercising, walking football and playing golf. He noted both physical and emotional benefits. "I benefitted from the exercise classes and walking football sessions in terms of fitness and agility but also benefitted from sharing experiences of fellow cancer patients. The classes and football sessions create opportunities to improve mental health and wellbeing, in addition to improving physical fitness."
Peter said he now feels stronger than before his diagnosis. "I am now much fitter than I was prior to my cancer diagnosis and I have managed to keep my weight down since surgery. I am doing more activities than I was doing before being diagnosed and with the people I have met during the past 12 months, this has allowed me to appreciate the support available in Worcestershire and comradery of fellow cancer patients."
He continues to stay active through walking, home exercises and golf, and attends regular PSA checks. "Living in Worcestershire has made the experience of cancer diagnosis and treatment much more tolerable than it might have otherwise been. I haven't experienced any barriers – everyone has been welcoming, caring and considerate."
Stourport cancer rehab coffee group
The Stourport cancer rehab coffee group offers a space for people to rebuild strength and confidence at their own pace. Each 90-minute session combines 45 minutes of gentle, tailored exercise with the same amount of social time. More information about the group can be found online. For details on PSA testing, visit the NHS website.
