Dave Thompson

Dave Thompson is a Design Technology teacher whose life was changed in 2014 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Having undergone a Radical Prostatectomy he ran in the 2105 London Go Dad Run and was joined by 15 friends and family as part of Team Daving at the 2016 event in Southwark Park.

Dave had long been aware that he was in a high risk group because his father, uncle and cousin had all developed prostate cancer and from the age of 40 he always had an annual PSA test with his GP. When he went for a blood test in late September 2014 at the age of 52 he was expecting the usual swift confirmation of an all clear but was instead immediately referred to a consultant as his PSA levels were high.

After taking advice on the various options available he saw Chris Ogden at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London and had his prostate removed just a few weeks later. After the operation Dave discovered just how lucky he had been. There was a large tumour inside his prostate and had he left it much later it would almost certainly have spread which is why he is passionate about encouraging men to get themselves checked and be aware of the problems that prostate cancer can cause.