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Rod Stewart Reveals He Had Prostate Cancer

Rod Stewart Reveals He Had Prostate Cancer

Stewart was speaking at an event in Surrey for the Prostate Project and European Tour Foundation​

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

Rod Stewart has revealed he's been fighting a secret battle with prostate cancer, having added that he's thankfully now 'in the clear'.

The 74-year-old rocker shared the news at a fundraising event on Saturday - where, according to The Mirror, he told the crowd: "Two years ago I was ­diagnosed with prostate cancer."

Stewart was speaking at an event in Surrey for the Prostate Project and European Tour Foundation, explaining how he has been in remission since July after managing to catch the cancer early.

He joked to his wife Penny Lancaster that he should use the evening to 'come out', prompting her to urge him: "Tonight would be a nice night to come out of the closet."

Stewart added: "It's not what you think."

Stewart with wife Penny Lancaster.
PA

He then continued to tell the crowd about his cancer diagnosis from two years ago.

He said: "No-one knows this, but I thought this was about time I told everybody. I'm in the clear, now, simply because I caught it early. I have so many tests."

Stewart used the occasion as an opportunity to encourage men to get their prostates checked.

"Guys, you've got to really go to the doctor," he said, adding: "Finger up the bum, no harm done."

As he was comforted by former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood - who has battled lung cancer himself - Stewart added: "If you're positive, and you work through it and you keep a smile on your face... I've worked for two years and I've just been happy, and the good Lord looked after me."

Wood, 72, agreed, saying: "Somebody up there likes us, Rod."

Stewart with Ronnie Wood in 2004.
PA

According to the NHS, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK.

It usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs for many years.

Symptoms don't usually appear until the prostate is large enough to affect the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the penis).

But when this happens, people might notice an increased need to wee, straining while you wee, and/or a feeling that your bladder has not fully empited.

While the symptoms can be worrying, they do not necessarily mean you have prostate cancer.

However, the NHS advises it is crucial that you don't ignore them - and that it's better to go and get them checked out, just to be safe.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Celebrity, Music, UK Entertainment, Health