Glasgow woman steps up to challenge after husband's cancer diagnosis

Suzie Scott, from Anniesland, received the devastating news that her husband Tam has incurable prostate cancer this year. 

Tam, who had always been fit and healthy, started experiencing back pain and weight loss in January and by March he was unable to get out of bed. 

Shocked by his sudden deterioration, Tam visited his doctor and after a series of tests and scans, a biopsy finally confirmed that he had incurable but treatable prostate cancer.  

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Now, in an effort to raise awareness of the disease and funds for lifesaving research, Suzie will be taking part in March the Month this September. 

March the Month is a virtual fundraising charity for Prostate Cancer UK where participants complete 11,000 steps each day throughout the month, to represent the more than 11,000 dads, partners, brothers, grandads and friends who die from the disease each year. 

Suzie, 65, said: "This is my first March the Month event and I'm really looking forward to taking part and challenging myself to walk 11,000 steps a day. 

"My dog will be with me every step of the way. He’s my personal trainer and we’ll be increasing the number and length of our local walks for March the Month, which he’ll love. 

"I also plan to join my friends and their dogs for part of the challenge to help get the steps in, which will be really fun too. 

"Tam is my motivation for doing this. I also want to give back to charities like Prostate Cancer UK, that support men like Tam and their loved ones, like me, affected by prostate cancer."

Since his diagnosis, Tam has undergone treatment and his consultant is positive this will stop the cancer growing and he can resume his active retirement. 

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One in eight men will get prostate cancer, with those who are over 50, Black, or have relatives who had it at higher risk. 

However, early diagnosis can save lives so Prostate Cancer UK is encouraging men across the country to use its 30-second online risk checker. 

The money raised by those taking part in March the Month will go towards funding vital research into lifesaving treatments for prostate cancer and provide practical support to men affected by the disease and their families.

Seren Evans, head of events and community fundraising at the charity, said: "Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with one in eight getting diagnosed in their lives.

"We’re blown away by how much March the Month has raised over the years, helping us to fund scientific research, to stop prostate cancer damaging the lives of men and their loved ones.   

"The March the Month participants have well and truly shown how friends, families and communities can work together, locally and across the UK to help save lives.    

"We thank Suzie and everyone for going that extra mile and signing up to March the Month to help beat prostate cancer."

You can find out more about March the Month HERE.