For Frank, a retired retail salesman from Dublin, a time of fear and uncertainty began. He calls it a "rollercoaster ride." Frank had to undergo 35 sessions of radiation therapy. The period during the COVID-19 pandemic was especially challenging, as regular medical follow-ups became difficult. 

What helped the father of three children and grandfather of eight in his darkest hours was the support of his family – and his unwavering optimism. "You simply must not allow cancer to take over your life. It must not control you or your actions," he says. "Fear must not win – because it will spread to everyone around you." Talking to each other and trusting one another is essential.

It’s not just physical health that matters for a patient, but also mental well-being: Frank speaks of a seesaw that must remain in balance. "Sometimes it’s just about getting up in the morning. Taking the dog out for a walk can already be a small success." Don’t give up, keep going with everyday life, and stay positive – especially in moments when it’s hard. Hold on to hope – not just for yourself, but also for those around you. And set goals.

Frank wants to travel through Europe, and he has another mission: He urges men to overcome fear and ignorance and to get regular check-ups. Tests and screenings can help detect a disease like cancer at an early stage – and fight it more effectively.

Frank sees in the treatment options a second chance to go on living with a sense of normalcy. "It probably won’t cure me, because I’m at stage four – there is no cure as such – but it keeps me alive. My mind stays clear. That means I can live a normal life."

He is grateful to the scientists at Bayer who do research in treatment options for patients like him. “These people deserve a pat on the back,” he says. They probably don’t even know what impact their research has on the lives of patients and their families. “I just want to say thank you,” says Frank. “Simply: thank you. Because without them, I probably wouldn’t be here today.”