Doctor issues warning over ‘dangerous’ prostate cancer myth following Jeremy Clarkson’s diagnosis
There has been a renewed attention on prostate cancer after Jeremy Clarkson announced his diagnosis on Clarkson's Farm, and a doctor has urged people to beware of a 'dangerous' myth around it.
The TV presenter, 66, made the revelation on the seventh episode of the latest series of his farming show, with audiences shown a scene where Clarkson told Charlie Ireland and Kaleb Cooper he wouldn't be around for part of the farm work because he was starting treatment.
"Yeah, I’ve got cancer," Clarkson had said in response to Kaleb asking if he was going to be away from Diddly Squat for a while, before explaining that his treatment would put him out of action for a while.
While he said at the time 'where was no one’s business' and didn't confirm the origin point of the cancer Clarkson later said that he'd had part of his prostate removed.
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"The prostate, 10 percent of it’s dead. The 10 percent where the cancer is," he said after having had an operation.
Fortunately, Clarkson was able to tell his friends that the cancer had been caught early as he tried to reassure them that he was going to be 'fine'.
Dr Karen Faulkner, Associate Medical Director at Panthera Clinic, told the Metro that Clarkson's diagnosis raised an important point about prostate cancer, which was that the symptoms are very easy to miss early on.
She said it was something of a 'silent' cancer early on because there may not be noticeable symptoms at the beginning, so if a man is not having routine medical check-ups then he might not know until the disease has progressed somewhat.
The doctor said: "We know that men are less likely to engage with preventative healthcare, particularly when they aren’t experiencing symptoms.
"However, when cancers are identified earlier, there are often more treatment options available, and outcomes can be significantly improved."
It's led to a dangerous myth where men might be feeling healthy and assume that all is well, when in fact they already have cancer and symptoms just aren't showing yet.
Dr Faulkner warned that 'feeling healthy and being healthy are not always the same thing', stressing that there are no guarantees but explaining that knowing more about the risk factors is no bad thing.
She said: "Age remains the biggest risk factor for prostate cancer, with the likelihood of developing the disease increasing as men get older.
"Family history can also play an important role, as having a father, brother or son who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer may increase your risk.
"Ethnicity is another key element, with Black men statistically more likely to develop prostate cancer and often at a younger age."
The symptoms of prostate cancer
The NHS has warned that in the initial stages, prostate cancer often does not have symptoms, since the cancerous growth develops on the outer part of the prostate and does not cause symptoms until it has grown somewhat.
Once the cancer has grown in some way, it can press on the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis, resulting in changes noticeable while going to the toilet.
Some of the early symptoms include:
- Finding it difficult to start peeing or straining to pee
- Having a weak flow of urine
- 'Stop start' peeing
- Needing to pee urgently or often, or both
- Feeling like you still need to pee when you've just finished
- Peeing during the night
- Erectile dysfunction
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Lower back pain and losing weight without trying to
These may also be the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, a common non-cancer condition, but they urge someone with symptoms to speak with their GP and discuss a blood test that can help identify problems with the prostate.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Topics: Health, Cancer, Jeremy Clarkson, Clarkson's Farm
Joe Harker