Bobby Windsor’s cancer story: a former Wales hooker urges men to get checked

Bobby Windsor, a well-known former Pontypool RFC and Wales hooker, went public about his prostate cancer experience and used it to urge other men to get checked. His account, published by the South Wales Argus in September 2006, lays out how the cancer was found, how treatment affected his life, and why he believes routine testing matters.

How the cancer was detected and treated

Windsor's cancer was picked up following a routine urine test that showed blood. The diagnosis came in March 2005. He underwent surgery at Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital as part of his treatment. Windsor described the fight as lasting about 15 months.

Emotional and personal consequences

Windsor also said the operation placed heavy strain on his personal life and contributed to the breakdown of his second marriage. He credited the support of his six children, 14 grandchildren, friends and former coach Ray Prosser with helping him through the low period.

Windsor's public appeal was straightforward: men should see their GP for regular checks. He told readers, "All it means is, fellas, you just go to the doctor's once a year for a blood test and they can pick it up." He framed routine testing as a simple step that can catch problems early and potentially prevent the kind of trauma he went through.

Windsor's story combines clinical details — diagnosis following a urine test, subsequent surgery — with candid reporting of the emotional fallout. He connects past experience of loss with his own reaction to illness and stresses the practical step of annual GP blood tests. For men who delay medical checks, Windsor's account is a direct plea: routine testing is a small action that can make a difference.

If you or someone you know is dealing with cancer or depression, Windsor's experience underlines two practical points: get assessed by a GP if you have concerning symptoms or are in an at-risk group, and reach out to family, friends or professional support if treatment leads to emotional distress.