Former Prime Minister David Cameron has shared the shocking moment he was told he had prostate cancer, a diagnosis he only sought after his wife, Samantha, insisted he get checked.
A Wife's Instinct Leads to a Life-Saving Discovery
The 59-year-old, who has now been given the all-clear, disclosed that he underwent a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test after his wife's urging. The results came back 'worryingly high', leading to further scans and a biopsy.
In a candid interview with The Times, Mr Cameron described the terrifying moment the diagnosis was confirmed three years ago. 'You always hope for the best,' he said. 'You have an MRI scan with a few black marks on it. You think, 'Ah, that's probably OK.''
He recounted the dread of hearing the words: 'But when the biopsy comes back, and it says you have got prostate cancer? You always dread hearing those words. And then literally as they're coming out of the doctor's mouth you're thinking, 'Oh, no, he's going to say it. He's going to say it. Oh God, he said it.''
Advanced Treatment and a New Mission
Fortunately, Mr Cameron's cancer was treated successfully with 'focal' therapy, a less invasive procedure that uses electric pulses to destroy cancerous cells, avoiding the need for chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
This personal experience has now spurred him into action. The former PM is pushing for a national programme of testing to detect prostate cancer earlier. The disease claims the lives of 12,000 Britons every year.
'I would feel bad if I didn't come forward and say that I've had this experience,' Mr Cameron stated. 'I had a scan. It helped me discover something that was wrong. It gave me the chance to deal with it.'
Knowing the Signs: Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer often presents no symptoms in its early stages, making proactive testing crucial. The PSA blood test is the most effective way to detect it early, even without symptoms.
However, there are warning signs men should be aware of, primarily related to urination. Professor Hashim Ahmed, a Consultant Urological Surgeon at Cromwell Hospital, emphasised: 'It's really important that men speak to their GP as soon as possible, if they notice any changes to their urine.'
Key symptoms to watch for include:
- Needing to urinate more frequently, especially at night.
- Straining or difficulty when starting to urinate.
- A weak flow of urine.
- Difficulty stopping urination or dribbling afterwards.
- A feeling of not having fully emptied your bladder.
- Blood in urine or semen.
- Erectile dysfunction or painful ejaculation.
Early detection through awareness and testing, as in David Cameron's case, can be life-saving.
