A RETIRED Alvechurch businessman who contracted prostate cancer and underwent revolutionary keyhole surgery was back on the golf course just six weeks later.

Neville Jinks, 66, of Icknield Street, is fighting fit after receiving the pioneering treatment at a specialist clinic at the Priory Hospital in Birmingham.

Now, at the start of Prostate Awareness Week, he is urging men to take time to check themselves regularly and, if they think there is a problem, to seek medical advice.

"When men hear the word 'cancer' they are terrified but this is a type of cancer which is treatable if caught early enough.

"The longer you leave it, the worse your chances become," said the father of two, who used to run a meat-processing firm in Birmingham.

He added: "Thousands of men die from this disease, which can be treated if action is taken early enough."

"I have told my own son not to hesitate to go to the doctor if something is wrong."

Mr Jinks first thought there might be a problem when he was waking in the night needing the toilet. His wife Diane advised him to see a doctor.

"My older brother had prostate cancer and once I started talking about it, I was amazed how many men also had this form of cancer.

"It's extremely common but many men don't talk about it because they are so frightened by it," said Mr Jinks.

He was recommended to surgeon Alan Doherty at the Priory, who advised that keyhole surgery was the best option.

And just over a month after diagnosis Mr Jinks had the prostate removedby keyhole surgery, a procedure traditionally undertaken as open surgery.

Six weeks later, Mr Jinks had fully recovered and is once again enjoying his favourite hobby - golf.

"I feel better than ever!" he said.

For more details on The Prostate Clinic at the Priory, call 0870 225 0885