Mick Flavin back on the music scene after cancer battle

Country singer Mick Flavin is recovering well after a major health scare. The Longford man underwent treatment for prostate cancer in the Galway Clinic back in September and now he wants to warn other men, particularly those over the age of 40 about the importance of getting that blood test done: “It could be the most important short trip of your life.”

Life on the road is hectic, with many singers and musicians facing gruelling journeys week after week. Taking time out for important things is often put on the long finger.

“Looking back, the early symptoms were kicking in. I was getting up during the night and also feeling a regular kind of tiredness. We try and tell ourselves so often that it is natural to be tired, but when it persists over a spell it is time to go and check it out.

“I eventually went along to my own doctor and had the blood tests for the PSA. It went from 3.1 to 5.3 inside a year. When it pushes a bit over 4, there is a bit of a red light flashing. I was advised by the doctor to look into it further. An appointment was made with neurologist Ted McDermott in the Tallaght Hospital.

“He did a biopsy and, when the results came back, he told me I had cancer on the right side of the prostate. I went to meet him in Dublin and he referred me to Frank Sullivan who does most of his work in the Galway Clinic.

“I was supposed to go in to the clinic in July but I kept putting it off. Eventually I went in on the 11 September and underwent the treatment. It is known as brachytherapy, where they implant radium seeds into your prostate and allow them to work over a 12-month period. These radium seeds operate in a slow-release manner and do most of their business in the first three months.

“You do feel a bit sore for a time after the operation. The side-effects are wearing off now. There are days when I still feel very tired but I am working away and touring around the same as ever.”

Mick’s close shave with prostate cancer has opened his eyes to the serious health issues around matters like this.

“The surgeon in the Galway Clinic told me there are lots of men over the age of 40 who are walking around unaware that they have prostate cancer. It is a very simple thing to have a blood test done with a local GP. It only takes a few minutes but it can save your life. I would urge all men who read this and who fit into the category to go and make that appointment inside the next three weeks.”

Music scene

Back on the music scene, Mick’s new album, Fields of Home, has just gone on release this week. The 12-track collection featured a number of American country songs such as I Wonder Where You Are Tonight as well as originals composed by Patsy Cavanagh from Donegal, Vincie Soye from Co Down and Jon Philibert from London. The Billy Yates song, Choices, features on the album, as is Making Old Things New. He has also recorded a song from 1988, You’re Only Young Once, composed by Thomas Kenny from Armoy, Co Antrim who died in recent years.

“This is my first album in a while and, considering all I’ve been through over the last few months, I am delighted to see it on release right now. I am doing what I love doing. The music keeps me going. It was central to me when I stopped drinking 27 years ago and it has done so much for me all down the years. I am in great form again, thank God.”