Prostate most cancers referrals spiked after Bill Turnbull’s loss of life
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right here has been a spike in prostate most cancers referrals following the loss of life of broadcaster Bill Turnbull final 12 months highlighting “the power of awareness”, Prostate Cancer UK stated.
The charity confirmed on Thursday that evaluation of NHS information exhibits a document 25,000 sufferers have been referred for suspected urological most cancers in England in November 2022 – by which prostate most cancers makes up the overwhelming majority.
Turnbull died on August 31 2022 after a “challenging and committed fight against prostate cancer”.
The 66-year-old presenter, who appeared on BBC Breakfast from 2001 till 2016, had been recognized with the illness in November 2017.
Laura Kerby, chief govt at Prostate Cancer UK, stated: “This year, in honour of Bill’s incredible legacy, we’re asking people to ‘Broadcast it like Bill’ and raise awareness of the disease – encouraging as many men as possible to take our 30-second risk checker to learn if they’re at risk, and if so, what they can do about it.”
There have been 20,732 referrals for suspected urological most cancers in June this 12 months, which marks a 21% improve on the identical month in 2019.
In June 2023, there have been 6,144 therapies for urological most cancers which marks a 24% improve from earlier than the pandemic.
Comedian and former QI host Stephen Fry additionally revealed his analysis across the identical time as Turnbull stated he was present process remedy for prostate most cancers in 2018.
This sparked what has been described because the “Turnbull/Fry effect” – a marked improve in referrals.
Fry has narrated a video for the marketing campaign which urges folks to share the charity’s 30-second on-line threat checker.
NHS England’s nationwide scientific director for most cancers, Professor Peter Johnson, stated: “It can feel overwhelming confronting worrying signs and symptoms, but talking about cancer can save lives – it is so important that anyone who has concerns follows the lead of people like Bill Turnbull, Stephen Fry and Rod Stewart and get checked without delay if they are worried.
“Knowing what is normal for you and getting checked if you have worrying symptoms is the best way you can help yourself.”
IT supervisor Nick Whight, 53, from Bromley, determined to ebook a GP appointment after listening to about Turnbull’s analysis on BBC Breakfast.
He was first recognized with prostate most cancers in June 2018 and opted to have surgical procedure the subsequent 12 months when his most cancers started to develop extra rapidly. He has since been given the all-clear and now does all he can to boost consciousness of the illness.
He stated: “I’ve always been a BBC Breakfast viewer, so I was very familiar with Bill, and I was so shocked and saddened to hear about his late diagnosis. I’d never really had much idea about prostate cancer, but from listening to Bill talk about it, I decided I should speak to my GP to get checked.”
He added: “I often describe myself as one of Bill Turnbull’s ‘cohort’ of men and thanks to him I was diagnosed in time to make a full recovery from prostate cancer.
“I knew I wanted to give back, which is why I’m supporting Prostate Cancer UK’s latest campaign to raise awareness and honour Bill’s incredible legacy. I’ve also signed up to take part in Jeff Stelling’s Football March this September – I’d really wanted to take on a physical challenge and to help raise funds for the charity, so it was just perfect timing for me.
Wycombe Wanderers fans Alan Cecil and Peter Radford were also inspired by their own prostate cancer experiences and Turnbull to take on a sponsored walk.
Mr Cecil, 69, said: “Seeing Bill speak out about his diagnosis, gave me the confidence to do the same.
“I realised there was no shame or stigma attached and by me raising awareness of the need for early testing, other men could hopefully be as lucky as me.”
Turnbull was a fan of Wycombe Wanderers and in his reminiscence the Jeff Stelling’s Football March will happen from Wembley to Wycombe, a distance of 26.2 miles, in September.
See prostatecanceruk.org/riskcheck for extra info.