A man given three years to live after being diagnosed with prostate cancer has called for a national screening programme to be set up.

Malcolm Nisbet, 59, has also called for more research to be done into the illness.

He has welcomed a campaign to raise money for research through England's World Cup match against Argentina.

Mr Nisbet, of Islip Road, Oxford, was diagnosed with prostate cancer a year ago.

He would like a national screening programme similar to those for detecting breast and cervical cancers in women.

He said: "There's a great need for increased funding. It's a huge concern, but men are very bad at admitting when they are not well.

"Prostate cancer screening really needs national attention. A national screening programme would see similar success to the screening for breast cancer and cervical smear tests.

"It's an absolute disgrace that we don't do it. It'd save lives."

Prostate cancer is often called the silent killer as it can lie undetected until it is too late.

About 21,000 men in England, mostly aged over 50, are diagnosed with the disease every year.

Mr Nisbet said: "I was taken to hospital, where I had tests and they found I was anaemic.

"I went home, but the next day they phoned to say I had cancer.

"It wasn't confined to my prostate and had spread throughout my system.

"I'm fighting back and this isn't going to win.

"I've been to a healer, gone on a course for Chinese medicine and have standard medication from the NHS."

Mr Nisbet is supporting Cancer Research UK's World Cup Party campaign to increase funding into male cancer.

The charity wants firms to let employees take extra time for lunch, on Friday, June 7, to watch England's match against Argentina.

Staff will be asked to make a donation to Cancer Research UK for the privilege.

For details call 0870 160 2040 or log on to www.cancerresearchuk.org

The charity admits some businesses cannot halt production, but hopes workers could still support the home team in other ways, such as by wearing red and white clothes.