When Dave Bowen attended a routine health screening event in 2019, he never imagined it would save his life—and eventually help save countless others.

At 58, Dave considered himself fit and healthy. He had no obvious symptoms, no warning signs. But a simple blood test revealed something shocking: his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 299.4, when it should have been 4.0 or below for a man his age. The diagnosis that followed was stage 4 prostate cancer.

"I started shaking, almost going into shock," Dave recalls. "I read the email again. 'It must be a mistake', I thought."

But it wasn't a mistake—it was a wake-up call that would transform Dave's life in unexpected ways.

Today, more than six years after his diagnosis, Dave has far exceeded the three-to-five-year prognosis doctors originally gave him. His secret? A combination of cutting-edge medical research, determination, and an unwavering commitment to living life to the fullest.

Dave participated in the STAMPEDE trial at The Institute of Cancer Research, a groundbreaking study investigating the best treatments for men with newly diagnosed advanced prostate cancer. His contribution to medical research hasn't just helped him—it's paving the way for better outcomes for future patients.

"If I can save even one man from going through what I have, I will do anything I can," Dave says with conviction.

While Dave describes his treatment as "hard and unrelenting," his spirit remained unbroken. He's channeled his experience into advocacy, passionately encouraging men to get tested early and raising awareness about the importance of prostate cancer screening.

When people tell Dave they're pleased his cancer is gone, he gently corrects them. "It's just sleeping," he explains. "And I hope it stays that way." This realistic yet positive outlook has become Dave's philosophy for life after cancer.

His message is powerful and simple: early detection saves lives. That routine health screening he almost didn't attend caught his cancer when treatment could still make a difference. He wonders how many men are walking around unaware, like he was, simply because they haven't been tested.

Dave's story is a testament to medical progress and the human spirit. Thanks to ongoing research and clinical trials like STAMPEDE, treatments are improving and survival rates are increasing. Dave himself is living proof that statistics don't define individual outcomes.

"No one on this earth knows what's round the corner," Dave reflects. "I am determined, to the bitter end, to just live life to the full—after all, life is for living."

Today, Dave continues sharing his journey as part of The Institute of Cancer Research's appeal to help every man with prostate cancer live longer, healthier lives. His courage in speaking out is already making a difference, encouraging men everywhere to prioritize their health and get screened.

Dave Bowen didn't just survive cancer—he's turning his experience into hope and action for others. And that may be the most powerful medicine of all.