Jim and Sandy Presly are identical twins, born in Aberdeen and brought up in the village of Methlick.

Aged 62, both were diagnosed with prostate cancer within a few months of each other, and underwent a radical prostatectomy as part of their treatment.

Jim (right), a retired biology teacher who is 20 minutes younger than his brother, had a traditional operation at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, while Sandy (left) – a plant breeder who now lives in Lincolnshire – was treated at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge using the latest robotic equipment.

Both have made a good recovery. Here they tell their personal stories of this shared experience.

JIM

I was diagnosed with early prostate cancer in June 2010. My symptoms were not obvious, apart from a slowing down of urine flow, which was a very gradual process. The cancer was diagnosed as a result of a urinary tract infection, when my doctor decided to check my PSA levels, which can indicate prostate cancer.

When my PSA levels were found to be higher than normal, I was referred to the Urology Department at Ward 44 at Aberdeen Royal infirmary, where I had the operation to remove my prostate in October 2010.

The medical staff, surgical team, anaesthetist, nurses and ancillary staff were all great and the explanations of all the procedures were detailed and delivered with the right level of cheerfulness to keep me happy and optimistic about the outcome.

The nursing team I had were very professional, as well as a good laugh, and encouraged me to get up and going as soon as possible after the operation.

I was very lucky I had discomfort rather than pain and was able to move about very quickly, and was allowed to go home after four days which is sooner than normal, however my brother went home after just 24 hours – and my 10cm scar is much bigger than his seven tiny ones!

I started building up walking time and distances fairly soon, walking a mile in about two weeks and building up to about three miles after six weeks or so.

Having a catheter was an inconvenience, although nothing that couldn't be coped with. Its removal was a milestone, even though peeing was a bit unpredictable at first – but pelvic floor exercises work wonders. My overall recovery was a positive experience and I'm back to doing most of the things I did before, although I have still to tackle some of the really strenuous things.

Sandy's mobility was faster than mine and he had less discomfort in doing so. His general recovery was definitely quicker - he was running a mile after less than two months. I didn't start running, gently, for three months, although it's fair to say he's fitter than me!

The problem I found is that you may feel so great on the outside that you start doing things before the internal wounds have properly healed.

But there are similarities between our experiences - pain getting the bowels moving after surgery and learning to pee on request rather than on demand is on the same learning curve!

On a personal level, UCAN were there from the time of being informed of the positive diagnosis, offering emotional support, practical advice and putting things in perspective.

The reassurance at the time of diagnosis was very much appreciated, and throughout the process UCAN has been great - from appearing with sanitary pads when the catheter was removed to being on hand to discuss things and what to expect.

Support wise, my brother and I have always taken an interest in each other's health, and when I was diagnosed one of the first things I did was phone him to tell him to get checked out – which is advice I'd give to anyone who is worried.

Having gone through the process, although the treatment was different, I was able to tell him something of what to expect and how to deal with some of the issues that might arise during his treatment and recovery.

We both share the same positive attitude to prostate cancer – it's an inconvenience that will not stop us doing what we want to do.

Caught early, this condition has very good outcomes. The cure may set you back a bit in terms of fitness, sexual function and peeing on demand but recovery happens. I'd much rather be around for longer enjoying the great things in life with my wife, our two children, granddaughters, other family and friends.

SANDY

Following Jim's diagnosis, he contacted me in August, 2010 and I had two PSA tests the same month, and was also found to have an enlarged prostate, reduced urine flow and very high urine retention in the bladder.

A biopsy in September, under general anaesthetic, showed I too had prostate cancer, but the real benefit of this early diagnosis was that all treatment options were possible.

A radical prostatectomy was the obvious solution. Radiotherapy might have had potential long-term side effects while leaving me needing an operation to correct the poor urine flow.

Living in a small village in Lincolnshire, unlike Jim I was given the choice of how I wanted the operation performed, and where. I could have had open surgery at Hull, laparoscopy at either Sheffield or Manchester, or laparoscopy with robotics at Addenbrooke's at Cambridge.

I opted for robotic surgery, on the basis the recovery times for any type of keyhole surgery is far faster than open. In addition, the more advanced 3D imaging available with the robot gives an added advantage to the surgeon. Another important consideration was that Addenbrooke's have a team of surgeons who are very experienced in the use of this equipment.

Following an interview to gauge my suitability for the operation using this technique, I was admitted to hospital for my operation in January 2011.

The op lasted four and a half hours and I had no pain, other than dealing with constipation.

The morning after, I sat in a chair and after lunch I walked up and down the ward before being discharged that afternoon, just 24 hours after the operation.

It was a complete success – the prostate was removed intact along with lymph nodes and good bilateral nerve sparing, despite the surgeon having to work round a previous hernia repair done by keyhole, which could have caused complications.

I've got seven very small scars, which healed very quickly with no problems. Superglue is wonderful! I also had a catheter, which was removed after a week, and continue to recover well in terms of continence.

I was able to start walking quickly, building up the distance to seven miles after just 20 days.

I ran a mile 44 days after the operation, increasing to 10 miles by 66 days, so compared with Jim this rate of progress is phenomenal – although I'm a hill runner and my fitness levels were already high, which greatly contributed to my speed of recovery.

I returned to my work as a plant breeder working on oilseed rape after three and a half weeks, obviously doing no lifting or pulling but absolutely capable of doing everything else for the full day. Prior to that I was working from home after two weeks.

Early diagnosis is absolutely essential. Both Jim and I were found to have 10% of the prostate affected by cancer in the final biopsy after the operation. My initial biopsy indicated a very low level of cancer but things can happen quickly and any symptom that indicates a problem with the prostate should be investigated immediately - why live with uncertainty and worry?

Jim and I talk a lot. With identical twins what happens to one in situations like this usually happens to the other, so I was very well prepared mentally for my diagnosis when it came. We are both very pragmatic and positive so it was just a case of getting on with it.

We have signed up to two research programmes investigating prostate cancers, one at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London and the other at Addenbrooke's Hospital.

My wife Lorna and son Ross have been absolutely great, as was my local consultant, and the cancer teams at Grimsby and Scunthorpe hospitals have been excellent. Similarly, the care and kindness shown to me at Addenbrooke's was fantastic.

Overall I have been very fortunate in the way my cancer has been dealt with and the robotic surgery meant that I was treated quickly and made a rapid recovery – it has actually been a good experience and I cannot think of any negatives.