Former Wales international Paul Bodin has revealed he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The Cardiff-born footballer, whose career as a left-back spanned three decades and earned him 23 Wales caps, was audibly emotional as he told BBC Radio Wiltshire the news, but used the moment to urge men to get a PSA test.
He announced on Tuesday night: “I’ve got prostate cancer. It’s tough to talk about. My family and close friends have all been very supportive but it’s something that I think I’ve got to get the message out.
“I feel fine, I feel absolutely perfect. I’m living a normal life, however I had a test a month or so ago and it was diagnosed cancer.”
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Bodin said he had a PSA test annually, and urged all men in their 50s or older to do the same. It took three tests over the course of several months (starting in April) to confirm he needed to go for a scan, which showed an enlarged prostate.
After a biopsy, the news of cancer was confirmed and he was told it could either be removed or treated with radiotherapy. “I feel absolutely fine,” he added, “but the prostate’s there and it’s got to be dealt with.
“The message from me is please, please go and get checked… it’s a simple blood test, go to your local surgery and tell them you’d like a PSA test. You’re in and out within two minutes, within a couple of days the result comes through.
“That’s exactly where I was back in April, so that was the first sign… we see it on TV every day that one in two people are going to get cancer in their lifetime but you always think it’s not going to be you.”
After starting out at Chelsea, Bodin enjoyed spells at Cardiff, Newport County and Merthyr Tydfil, appearing 75 times for City – his hometown club. The 59-year-old was capped 23 times for Wales, scoring three goals.
Two spells at Swindon Town have seen him go down as a club legend, with more than 200 appearances and two Wembley promotions under his belt. In one of these play-off final wins, he scored a late penalty to give his team the lead and gain promotion to the Premier League.
Bodin became Wales Under-21 manager in August 2019, filling the role vacated when Rob Page stepped up to manage the first team. He left this role in 2022.
