“`html
Feargal Sharkey Advocates for Prostate cancer Screening After diagnosis
Table of Contents
The former Undertones frontman encourages men over 45 to get tested, highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment.
Feargal Sharkey, the environmental campaigner and former lead singer of The Undertones, is urging men to undergo prostate cancer screening after being diagnosed with the disease himself.He revealed that the health issue was “resolved” a year ago, thanks to early detection during a routine check-up.
In an interview, Sharkey recounted how a visit to his GP for a sore throat led to a full battery of tests, revealing the prostate cancer diagnosis. “About a year and a half ago, I randomly went to see my GP with a sore throat,” sharkey said. “So my doctor, being the beautiful, wonderful, awkward, cantankerous old man that is went: ‘Oh Feargal, by the way, your 65 now, I’m going to run the full battery of tests.’ Two days later, it turns out, I began a journey which led to the [diagnosis] of prostate cancer. Thankfully, that’s all now been resolved a year ago.”
He emphasized the importance of early detection, stating that without the routine visit, the outcome could have been very different. “The reason I’m very happy to talk about it is because if there’s one man out there over the age of 45 go and see your GP. Go and get the blood test done.”
Rising Prostate Cancer Cases
Prostate cancer is increasingly prevalent. Earlier this year, prostate cancer became the most commonly diagnosed cancer in England, surpassing breast cancer for two consecutive years. In 2023, there where 55,033 prostate cancer diagnoses in England.
“If there’s one man out there over the age of 45 go and see your GP. Go and get the blood test done.”
Sharkey’s call to action follows a similar diagnosis for former US president Joe Biden, who was diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones.
The Importance of Screening
Sharkey stressed that early-stage prostate cancer is frequently enough treatable and urged men to get a blood test. “Now, for one in eight of you, you will be put in the same journey I’ve had and it’s quite astonishing to think that in this country right now, one in eight men have prostate cancer,” he said. “Most of them don’t even know it. So go and have the blood test and if you’re lucky, you’ll walk away.”
He also expressed admiration for six-time Olympic gold medalist Chris Hoy, who disclosed a stage 4 cancer diagnosis that metastasized from his prostate. “I have such amazing admiration for Chris Hoy over the last couple of months. If you end up where Chris is, well you’re now looking for a very different outcome and not the one you were expecting for your life, my friend.So, for a blood test – go get it done right now.”
Frequently asked Questions About Prostate Cancer
- What are the early symptoms of prostate cancer?
- Early-stage prostate cancer often has no symptoms. As the cancer grows, it may cause frequent urination, difficulty starting or stopping urination, weak or interrupted urine stream, and blood in the urine or semen.
- How is prostate cancer diagnosed?
- Prostate cancer is typically diagnosed through a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. If these tests are abnormal, a biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
- What are the treatment options for prostate cancer?
- Treatment options vary depending on the stage and aggressiveness of the cancer,and also the patient’s overall health. Options include active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy.
- What is the PSA test?
- The PSA test measures the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. Elevated PSA levels may indicate prostate cancer, but can also be caused by other conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostatitis.
- Who should be screened for prostate cancer?
- Guidelines vary,but generally,men should discuss prostate cancer screening with their doctor starting at age 50. Men with a family history of prostate cancer or African American men may consider starting screening at age 45.
