A RETIRED Teignbridge police officer who campaigned for better prostate cancer screening has died at the age of 58.

Jim Lewis-Clarke spent time following his eventual diagnosis with the disease, which also claimed the life of his brother, calling for more widespread blood testing by GPs.

His widow Michelle has described how he died at home in January with his dogs and family by his side.

Almost £10,000 has been raised for Rowcroft Hospice since he died, £4,100 of which was donated at his funeral at St Michael’s Church, Kingsteignton which was attended by 400 people.

Michelle explained: ‘In April 2024 as a result of the cancer spreading, Jim suffered a major stroke.

‘This was followed by spinal cord compression and the doctors said he wouldn’t walk again.

‘Despite this he walked out of the hospital and still managed walks on the moors, through his own sheer determination.

‘He then miraculously did a cold water swim where he raised for Rowcroft Hospice.

‘After a long struggle with the effects of the cancer he was admitted to Rowcroft Hospice on September 3.

‘He had his 58th birthday in there and was dangerously ill.

‘With a prognosis of only days to live, he remained there for five weeks during which time I didn’t leave his side.

‘Jim’s wishes were that he was to die at home and after five weeks he asked me to take him home and

Rowcroft made this happen.

‘They immediately arranged care and equipment and within three days Jim was home where he belonged.’

In November, just months before he died, Jim and Michelle were able to renew their wedding vows in the presence of family and friends in a marquee at Kenton Park Estate.

On Christmas Day his health declined further.

Michelle said: ‘Things were once again extremely tough.

‘During the early of hours of the January 19 Jim slipped into unconsciousness.

'From that moment on he had the care of the hospice at home team who nursed him until he slipped peacefully away in the early hours of January 24.

‘Jim fought this cancer until his very last breath and passed with his family and his dogs at his side.

‘This was only made possible by the ‘whispering angels’ the nurses from Rowcroft Hospice.’

The retired police sergeant first went to his GP aged just 47 asking for a cancer check when his brother Jeremy was diagnosed with the disease.

Testing on the NHS is usually only carried out on men over 50 - but only upon request.

While Jim had no symptoms at the time, he was aware that there is an increased risk if a close relative has the disease.

He was told he was too young at 47.

Had he been tested at the time, the cancer would have been detected much earlier.

Speaking to the Mid Devon Advertiser in February last year, Jim, who wrote a blog about his experiences, explained men don’t need symptoms to have the disease.

He said at the time: ‘Prevention is better than cure but I don’t think the awareness is really there.

‘People’s lives are being cut short by not being tested, that is the reality.

‘We could do so much better.’

His brother, a journalist with the Spectator magazine, died in 2023.