A taxi driver from East Ayrshire has credited a chance conversation with a passenger for saving his life after it led to the early detection of prostate cancer. Brian Kelly, 66, picked up Tam Hewitt, a volunteer for Prostate Cancer UK, in the summer of 2024. During the journey, Hewitt spoke about the risks of prostate cancer and the importance of getting a PSA blood test.
Although Kelly had no symptoms, he followed Hewitt's advice and visited his GP. The PSA results revealed two sites of prostate cancer, one of which was aggressive. Thanks to the early diagnosis, Kelly began brachytherapy treatment in June last year, shortly after his youngest daughter's graduation. The cancer was halted at stage two, and within a week, he was back at work.
A Second Chance Encounter
In December, Kelly had the opportunity to thank Hewitt in person when he was called to pick him up from his home. Kelly told the Press Association: "I knew the address, I knew where Tam lived. Again, he had material that we wanted to take with him, we were putting it into the back of the car. Once we had done that, I then broke the news to him. I just shook his hand and said 'by the way, I just want to thank you for saving my life'."
The pair discovered that Hewitt, 76, had also undergone brachytherapy for prostate cancer 20 years earlier. Hewitt regularly gives talks and organises around 50 awareness stands each year. He said: "Although it's not the first time someone has thanked me for having the conversation that has led them choosing to get a PSA test and an early diagnosis, I was completely taken aback when Brian asked to shake my hand. If his treatment and journey works as well as mine, he will be delighted."
Spreading Awareness
Kelly has since taken it upon himself to continue Hewitt's work, speaking to passengers about prostate cancer. He said: "Anyone who gets into my car who's over a certain age, I have the conversation with them. I just throw out, 'You're of a certain age, have you had this PSA blood test?'"
Joseph Woollcott, Prostate Cancer UK's head of health policy, commented: "Brian and Tam's story is wonderful, and it shows the power of men talking and looking out for each other. One in eight men will get prostate cancer, and your risk doubles if you're Black. It's curable if found early, but it's a complex disease. Men need people like Tam in their corner."
