AS TV presenter and journalist Bill Turnbull has died of prostate cancer, it’s important for men to know the symptoms and risk factors of the disease.
Bill, who for 15 years woke up the nation as a BBC Breakfast anchor, died at the age of 66 after being diagnosed in 2017.
Bill Turnbull, TV presenter, has died of prostate cancer at the age of 66
Roughly one in every eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, according to Prostate Cancer UK, making it the most common male cancer in the UK.
A statement from Bill’s family said: “Following a challenging and committed fight against prostate cancer, Bill passed away peacefully at his home in Suffolk surrounded by his family on Wednesday, 31st August.”
Bill Turnbull said inspiring men to get tested for prostate cancer by publicly revealing his own diagnosis was the “one useful thing” he had done in his life.
He had previously said he was “cross with myself” for the pride he had felt at not visiting a GP in four years.
The former Classic FM broadcaster had prostate tests at the age of 40 and 50. These are available to men who have a higher risk of prostate, or symptoms.
But, by the time he went to a doctor with aches and pains that he had put down to “old age”, the disease had already spread to his bones.
The disease kills more than 11,500 men in the UK every year, Prostate Cancer UK says, and another 47,500 are diagnosed.
But worryingly, the majority of men don’t know anything about the disease, according to a male cancer charity, Orchid.
Of those that do have a shred of a clue, 60 per cent aren’t confident naming the signs and symptoms,
It’s not just symptoms men need to be wary of, as in many cases, the signs are not obvious or slowly occur over many years.
The risk of prostate cancer increases as you get older, with most cases developing in men aged 50 or older, the NHS says.
Black men are more likely to be affected, while it is less common among Asians, and the risk is also higher for those with a family history of the disease.
Men who have these risk factors may be offered a test by their GP, but there is no national screening programme for the disease.
As with all cancers, the earlier it is found, the easier it is to treat.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Symptoms of prostate cancer will usually not appear until the cancer is large enough to press against the urethra.
If you find yourself needing to urinate more often, having to wait longer before you can pass urine, or urinating involuntarily after going to the toilet, it is a good idea to get checked by a doctor.
However, Prostate Cancer UK says it is more likely to be a sign of a very common non-cancerous problem in men – an enlarged prostate.
Other warning signs include erectile dysfunction, blood in urine, weight loss or any new and unexplained lower back pain.
The full list of symptoms to be wary of are:
- Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
- Needing to rush to the toilet
- Difficulty in starting to pee
- Weak flow
- Straining and taking a long time while peeing
- Feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied fully
The signs that cancer has spread include bone, back, or testicular pain, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss.
What should you do if you have symptoms?
Go to your GP if you have any of these symptoms. If it isn’t prostate cancer, it may be something else that can be treated.
Your GP might suggest having tests if you have symptoms of a prostate problem.
The main tests are a urine test, PSA blood test, and digital rectal examination.
