Podcast formed after prostate cancer diagnosis

An historian and tour guide found out he had stage four prostate cancer after going to his GP because of a pain in his leg.

Adam Wood felt the pain while conducting a walking history tour around Coventry.

He was sent to the city's University Hospital with suspected cellulitis, but a scan revealed the cancer.

Wood, 60, has now started chemotherapy to fight the cancer, which is the commonest form of the disease diagnosed in men, with 56,000 cases confirmed every year. He has also started a podcast about the issue and is in the early stages of creating a face-to-face group where men can meet and provide mutual support.

Wood takes tourists on walking tours of Coventry telling them how the city was impacted by the Blitz in November 1940. He has also been a guide at the city's cathedral.

He was first diagnosed with cellulitis and sent to the city's hospital.

"Cellulitis turned to sepsis, I was in a fever for four days and that cleared......I was sent down for an MRI and a CT scan and I've got stage four prostate cancer," he said

The scans showed the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes and his bones, which had led to the sepsis infection.

However, he had not felt any pain.

To try and help understand what had happened, Wood started keeping a diary and then recorded his thoughts as a podcast.

"To my surprise, loads of people commented saying this is really good, it's been helpful, I'm going to go to the doctor," he said.

He said part of the thinking was to help other people who might be going through their own treatment, so they could understand what they might expect.

Wood added he now paid more attention to the news around prostate cancer and included that in his recordings. He hoped to turn it into a one-stop shop for men who want to find out more.

The success of the podcast meant he is now in the early stages of creating a face-to-face group where men can meet and provide mutual support.

"Anyone who's affected in Coventry, can find an answer or get some information, without having to go online and join some groups, which are fascinating, but generally focus on the horrible side of things and scare you away."

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