With around 12,300 prostate cancer deaths in the UK every year, a doctor has shared a 'dangerous misconception' brought to light by Jeremy Clarkson's recent diagnosis. The 66-year-old presenter revealed the news in the latest series of Clarkson's Farm, explaining that doctors discovered the cancer following a biopsy. While he described the disease as 'aggressive', Clarkson said it had been caught early, and that he had undergone surgery to remove part of his prostate. But had he not been checked when he did, he admitted it 'could well have been [his] last harvest.'
The silent nature of prostate cancer
According to Dr Karen Faulkner, Associate Medical Director at Panthera Clinic, Clarkson's experience highlights an 'important reality' about prostate cancer, which many don't realise until it's too late. Prostate cancer is dubbed a 'silent' disease, because it may not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages. As such, men can dismiss their need for routine check-ups, assuming they'd know if something was wrong.
Why men avoid check-ups
'We know that men are less likely to engage with preventative healthcare, particularly when they aren't experiencing symptoms,' says Dr Faulkner. 'However, when cancers are identified earlier, there are often more treatment options available, and outcomes can be significantly improved.' This myth is widespread, with one in four UK men in a Cleveland Clinic London study admitting they were unsure of the signs of prostate cancer, while 27% said they only visit a doctor when they feel unwell. As Dr Faulkner notes though, 'feeling healthy and being healthy are not always the same thing.'
Why symptoms may not appear early
The NHS states that the reason this form of cancer 'often has no symptoms at first' is that tumours frequently grow on the outer part of the prostate, away from the urethra, meaning they may not affect urination until they've grown or spread.
Risk factors to know
Alongside regular contact with healthcare services, Dr Faulkner says knowing your personal likelihood of developing prostate cancer — something nearly half (48%) of those surveyed by Cleveland Clinic were unaware of — is crucial when it comes to early detection. 'Age remains the biggest risk factor for prostate cancer, with the likelihood of developing the disease increasing as men get older,' she explains. '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 doctor stresses that these characteristics can't guarantee anything, but can help medical professionals decide if advanced testing or further investigation may be appropriate.
Screening debate continues
The issue of screening remains a contentious one in the UK. Unlike breast, bowel and cervical cancer, there's currently no national screening programme for prostate cancer — which is the most common form among males in the UK, at 57,000 new cases each year — although men over 50 can ask their GP to perform a PSA blood test. Still, stories like Clarkson's appear to have a powerful effect. Within 24 hours of the episode being aired, more than 16,700 men completed Prostate Cancer UK's online risk checker, the highest number since former Prime Minister David Cameron announced his diagnosis.
A wake-up call
'While every patient's circumstances are unique, high-profile stories such as this often encourage people to stop and think about their own health,' comments Dr Faulkner. For those worried about their results coming back, she also has a reassuring message: 'A positive test is not the end of the road.' Reinforcing the fact that around three-quarters of men survive for 10 years or more after prostate cancer diagnoses, the clinical research physician emphasises 'advances in diagnostics, treatment and ongoing care'. So while Clarkson's story may be frightening, Dr Faulkner urges people to use it as a potentially life-saving wake-up call, adding: 'Preventative healthcare, awareness of your risk factors and early conversations remain some of the most powerful tools we have.'
