Former Prime Minister David Cameron has disclosed that he recently underwent treatment for prostate cancer.
Lord Cameron, 59, revealed to The Times that his wife, Samantha, prompted him to seek a medical evaluation after being inspired by a BBC radio interview with Nick Jones, entrepreneur and founder of Soho House, who advocated for increased testing following his own diagnosis.
Following an initial prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test earlier this year, an MRI scan and subsequent biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Lord Cameron received “focal” therapy, a procedure involving the application of electric pulses delivered via needles to eradicate cancerous cells.
Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer among males in the United Kingdom, with approximately 55,000 new cases diagnosed annually.
Lord Cameron stated to the newspaper his intention to leverage his public platform to support Prostate Cancer Research, a charity where Mr. Jones serves as a trustee, in advocating for screening programs for men at high risk.
The incidence of prostate cancer is highest among older men, particularly those over 75, with cases in individuals under 50 being infrequent. Black men also face a higher risk.
“I don’t particularly like discussing my personal intimate health issues, but I feel I ought to,” he said.
“Let’s be honest. Men are not very good at talking about their health. We tend to put things off.”
However, he added: “I sort of thought, well, this has happened to you, and you should lend your voice to it.”
Lord Cameron opted for focal therapy to address the cancer, a method that precisely targets the affected area of the prostate using techniques like ultrasound waves to destroy the malignant cells.
“I would feel bad if I didn’t come forward and say that I’ve had this experience. I had a scan. It helped me discover something that was wrong. It gave me the chance to deal with it,” he told The Times.
Currently, the UK lacks a national screening program for prostate cancer due to concerns regarding the reliability of PSA tests.
Lord Cameron’s announcement coincides with the recent commencement of a significant prostate cancer screening trial in the UK, aimed at identifying the most effective methods for detecting the disease.
Prostate Cancer UK estimates that approximately one in eight men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime, with research indicating that it has surpassed breast cancer as the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the UK.
A support group will hand out leaflets at Gloucester’s next home game about the “hidden” disease.
Dennis Briggs has been treated for the disease, and now runs a support group in Shropshire.
The study aims to find the best way to detect prostate cancer – the most common cancer in men in the UK.
Prof Peter Bradley, from Public Heath, says “vaccinations protect us against serious disease”.
The calendar was inspired by various village events and is in aid of Prostate Cancer UK.