Report numbers take prostate most cancers checks following the loss of life of Bill Turnbull

The BBC newsreader, who died one 12 months in the past at present, and Stephen Fry are thought to have fuelled the surge by talking publicly about their diagnoses. Both revealed they’d the illness in 2018.

During the week after Mr Turnbull’s loss of life aged 66, 61,000 folks used Prostate Cancer UK’s on-line threat checker – a 2,500 p.c improve on the earlier week.

And referrals reached an all-time excessive final November, with 25,000 males despatched for additional investigation of suspected most cancers.

Mr Fry, 66, has narrated a video tribute to Mr Turnbull, describing him as a “broadcasting legend whose ­tireless campaigning for prostate cancer awareness left a lasting legacy for men’s health in the UK”.

He provides: “Let’s honour Bill’s legacy together. Check your risk. Share the risk checker. Save lives.”

Mr Turnbull as soon as described inspiring males to get examined for prostate most cancers as ­the “one useful thing” he had achieved in his life.

He admitted he was “cross ­­with myself” for not seeing a GP earlier. Prostate Cancer UK and the NHS launched an consciousness marketing campaign in February 2022 after evaluation recommended 14,000 fewer males had been identified throughout the pandemic.

More than 75,000 acquired therapy for urological cancers within the 12 months to February 2023 – up 9 p.c on ­pre-pandemic numbers.

Laura Kerby, Prostate Cancer UK chief govt, stated: “It was important to see a reaction after thousands of men missed out on a diagnosis during the pandemic.

“This huge rise in referrals and treatments is testament to the incredible work done by so many to raise awareness and I thank the NHS staff who are treating more patients than ever before.

“But we know that there’s more to do, as too many men are still being diagnosed too late and some areas of the country recovering more slowly than others.”

Referrals within the Midlands are simply 10% above pre-Covid ranges, whereas London is 22 p.c up. Men who’re over the age of fifty,
black males and people with a ­household ­historical past of the illness are most in danger.

By checking their threat and talking to a GP, they’ll resolve whether or not to take the PSA blood check which detects indicators of
prostate most cancers.

Ms Kerby added: “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.”

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