A fish porter treated for prostate cancer with the help of a surgical robot is urging men to seek advice from their GP and get tested.

David Lamkin was diagnosed with the disease just four weeks after his GP referred him to Medway Maritime Hospital following the results of a blood test in December.

After his protein levels were found to be too high, the 65-year-old was referred to its urology department for an MRI scan and multiple biopsies.

Yet, due to the advanced stage of the cancer, David's only option was to have surgery to remove the prostate and the lymph nodes in his groin and stomach.

He was admitted for the surgery at the hospital on February 13.

The procedure was carried out by professor Matin Sheriff, the hospital’s consultant urological and lead robotic surgeon, and it involved using a surgical robot, called Da Vinci.

Introduced to the hospital five years ago, the minimally invasive treatment uses small incisions rather than open surgery.

It ended up proving a success for David, a fish porter at Billingsgate fish market in London, and he is now on the road to recovery while continuing to be monitored annually.

David, who is from Rochester, said: "It was a kick in the stomach, especially as I’ve never smoked or drank and done untold marathons for charity.

“Driving home we sat in silence but when we got home and spoke to our two sons we both cried.

"We didn’t cry for long though because we knew we had a fight on our hands and the cancer wasn’t going to win.

“Thanks to the dedicated staff at Medway Maritime Hospital my cancer journey has been made a lot easier and I cannot thank everyone who was involved with my care enough.

“Considering I’ve had major surgery for cancer I’ve been surprised by the speed of my recovery [too] and my scars are very small".

He is now appealing to men to understand the signs of prostate cancer before it’s too late after his wife, Teresa, noticed he was urinating more at night time.

Other symptoms include difficulty urinating and feeling like you have not completely emptied your bladder.

“My advice to any man who is having problems in the bladder area is to speak to your GP a soon as possible," David added.

"Early intervention is absolutely key with any form of cancer to ensure a better outcome.

“After I told my boss and a few of my colleagues that I had been diagnosed with prostate cancer some of them booked an appointment with their GP to get checked.

“Cancer is a scary word, but if any men have any concerns about their prostate I strongly encourage them to book an appointment with their GP as soon as possible.

"A simple blood test really could save your life, just like it did mine".