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Man beats the odds of stage four cancer diagnosis

News imageHandout Andrew Gibson wearing brown trousers and a blue and white chequered shirt. He is standing beside a large blue tractor on a bright sunny day, holding a small terrier type dog and smiling at the camera. Handout
Andrew Gibson was told he had two years left to live when he was diagnosed with stage four cancer in 2020

A former military armed forces and NHS paramedic who said he once "took health for granted" is celebrating a milestone birthday he feared he would never reach - on Christmas Day.

Andrew Gibson, from Chipping Sodbury near Bristol, was told he had two years to live when he was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer in April 2020.

Mr Gibson, who will turn 60, said he was "determined" to use the time he had left to spread awareness of prostate cancer symptoms.

Five years after his diagnosis, Mr Gibson is still undergoing regular intensive treatment. He said his options were "narrowing down" but he remained optimistic as "every day is a new day".

News imageHandout A hospital scan of Mr Gibson's body, which shows a faint grey outline of his figure. Within that shape are various black spots which indicate the cancer cells breaking apart and spreading through his body.Handout
A scan revealed Mr Gibson's cancer cells have broken away from the primary tumour and spread towards his bones

Mr Gibson said the first sign that something was seriously wrong was when he suddenly collapsed on the rugby field while refereeing a match.

Prior to that, he had assumed his symptoms of "sore hips, a bad back and dehydration" were the result of a demanding sports career.

"I took my health for granted," he explained.

"Even when I started to feel the odd twinge, stiffness and pain, it was put down to leading a highly active lifestyle – something I now know was a big, missed opportunity which has cost me dearly."

News imageA man in a black coat, wearing a black wool hat, sits in what appears to be a shelter. It's dark. There is a sleeping bag behind him.
One of Mr Gibson's challenges was a sleep out

Mr Gibson has since undergone intensive treatment at the GenesisCare cancer centre in Filton, including chemotherapy and precision radiotherapy.

"They've kept me alive for so long," he said. "I was given a short window of life and they've gifted me more longevity. I'm very, very lucky to be here.

"It's really only down to them, and maybe my mindset as well."

In the years since his diagnosis, Mr Gibson has completed a series of fundraising challenges to raise money and awareness for various charities.

News imageHandout Mr Gibson posing for a photo with two members of the Great Western Air Ambulance. He is dressed as the Grinch wearing a Santa outfit and a Christmas hat, standing with his arms around two other men, who are wearing hi-vis orange uniforms. In the background there is a green helicopter and a blue tractor parked on a helipad. Handout
Mr Gibson completed a charity tractor run dressed as the Grinch to raise money for the Great Western Air Ambulance

On 19 December, he slept outside on Chipping Sodbury High Street to raise funds for homeless veterans at the Royal British Veterans Enterprise.

Two days later, he joined the Horton Tractor Festive Evening Run dressed as the Grinch to fundraise for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity.

"I'm determined to spend the time I've got left to spread the word to men to listen to your body, understand the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer and stay vigilant," he said.

"If my story can help others to recognise or question their own symptoms and get tested, then I'll be delighted."

Prostate cancer symptoms

The NHS says symptoms of prostate cancer can often go undetected at first, but may include:

  • Low back pain
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Losing weight without trying

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