
DareDevil Iain
Prostate and lung cancer survivor, Iain Johnston, talks about cancer treatment and running his fifth Hollard DareDevil Run with the aim of raising money for Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa.
Iain Johnston (64) stays in Dainfern, Gauteng with his wife. They have two children and two grandchildren.
Fluctuating PSA level
Iain went for regular PSA screening tests every year. For a few years, he had a high PSA level. He explains, “Just because you have a high PSA, doesn’t necessarily mean you have prostate cancer, but it’s an indication and should be followed up with further observation or investigation. I was given antibiotics and my PSA level went down.”
This continued for a while but then Iain’s PSA started to increase so his GP referred him for a biopsy. In August 2011, at the age of 56, Iain was diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer. Iain says the only real symptom he encountered was frequent urination. Though, this is also a symptom of an enlarged prostate (which is pressing down on the urethra) which he had as well.
Thankfully due to the cancer being contained in the prostate, treatment options, such as surgery, to remove the prostate, and radiation treatment, such as brachytherapy, were available. In the early stages these treatments can cure prostate cancer. Based on his particular circumstances, Iain decided to have a radical prostatectomy.
Side effects
In September, Iain underwent a radical prostatectomy. Fortunately, he didn’t suffer incontinence, which can be a side effects of this treatment. Though he does suffer with erectile dysfunction, saying, “Unfortunately, this can be one of the side effects of prostate surgery, although many men fully recover their sexual function.”
When asked if he was fully informed regarding erectile dysfunction and other possible post-surgery side effects, Iain responds, “I believe that there isn’t enough education and information given to patients.”
It’s due to this factor that Iain, as Chairman of Patient Affairs for Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa,
aims to provide more education and awareness of prostate cancer and post treatment side effects. He adds, “I don’t think enough detailed explanations of possible side effects are given to men undergoing prostate cancer treatments.”
Iain recalls what he sees as a funny story, “Three or four weeks after surgery, I wasn’t getting an erection.
So, I phoned my doctor but he wasn’t there so I spoke to his receptionist and told her that I’m not getting an erection. Her response was, ‘Mr Johnston, you do know you’ve just had a very serious operation.’ Basically, saying how can you expect to get an erection after having such an operation!”
Thankfully, as Iain says, there are many treatments available for erectile dysfunction. “You get to a stage of life where you need to make decisions, like how important is an erection compared to dying from prostate cancer or other things you need to deal with in your life. Dealing with these side effects can compound the emotions men go through when diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer.”
Lung cancer
In 2018, it was discovered that Iain had a tumour on his lung. It was removed along with a third of his right lung and once again he dodged chemotherapy and radiation. Whilst Iain may not have the lung capacity he used to have, at 64 he walks, swims three times a week and does weight training. “I’ve always been active but when you go through these things, you realise your own mortality. It is like a wake-up call and really puts things into perspective,” he says.
Hollard DareDevil Run
Iain’s function as Chairman of Patient Affairs is to raise awareness of prostate cancer and the importance of annual screening (blood test and a digital rectal examination (DRE)), and to offer support to newly diagnosed and post-treatment patients.
He adds, “It’s all about education, awareness and screening. I’m glad to say men are slowly becoming more comfortable to speak about problems they’re experiencing. Thirty seconds of discomfort from a DRE is a not a big deal and is far better than dealing with late stage non-curable prostate cancer.”
Since being chairman, Iain has run four Hollard DareDevil Runs; this will be his fifth one. “Because this is the 10th DareDevil Run, I set myself a target of personally raising R50 000 for Prostate Cancer Foundation,” he says. Iain managed to raise over R10 000.
For more information on prostate cancer, visit prostate-ca.co.za

MEET OUR EDITOR – Laurelle Williams
Laurelle is the Editor at Word for Word Media and graduated from AFDA with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Live Performance. She have a love for storytelling and sharing emotions through the power of words. Her aim is to educate, encourage and most of all show there is always hope. Write me: [email protected]