After disclosing his cancer diagnosis, Nick Owen issued an urgent plea, asking others to be examined even if they don’t have any symptoms.
The broadcaster was diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ and ‘extensive’ prostate cancer in April, and will be taking time away from the studio to focus on his health, it was disclosed this week.
The BBC celebrity was diagnosed after seeing a physician, who was first unconcerned before sending him for a scan and a biopsy.
On Tuesday, the 75-year-old spoke on BBC Breakfast to discuss his personal experience further, emphasising the necessity of being examined to be safe.
Having had no symptoms himself, Nick said: ‘I’m eternally grateful to my GP for pushing it when I thought it wasn’t really necessary, ‘cause I had had higher figures in the past. But they’d been consistent, and usually when figures are consistent rather than a trend upwards they think we’ll keep an eye on it, should be alright. I feel lucky.’
The Midlands Today host then went into detail about the treatment that he received, stating: ‘Ultimately I had a radical prostatectomy, which is taking everything away, and they also took 25 lymph nodes from around that area, which are great indicators of whether the cancer has spread.
‘It hasn’t – they’re all clear, those lymph nodes, and everything around the prostate – the non-existent prostate – seems to be clear. So at this moment, it’s very encouraging that I hopefully am all clear. Things will emerge later down the line to prove that, I hope. But at this moment in time, yeah, everything’s really encouraging.’
Having undergone a ‘big operation’, which is described as ‘radical’ and was ‘very invasive’, Nick said that he is currently feeling ‘quite fragile’.
Nonetheless, he feels ‘very positive’, and is ‘so much brighter’ than he has been in recent weeks.
‘So I feel very lucky. I’m just really keen to urge people to get checked, because I had no symptoms, as we said, and people might think, “I haven’t got any symptoms so why bother?” I think it’s important, especially if you’re over 50. Get it in the system to check it, especially if you have family history,’ he stressed.
Nick informed Jon Kay and Rachel Burden that he knows someone whose grandpa died of prostate cancer and whose four kids, all of whom are now in their 60s, are also suffering from the disease.
‘Four men, four brothers have all got it. So it can be very much a hereditary, familial thing,’ he stated.
‘The key is to get it early. Get it in the system, get checked so they are looking at you and monitoring you, and if you catch it early… mine was caught early-ish, but who knows – six months later it could have spread round the body.’
Nick outlined how if there are any concerns that are flagged, then patients will undergo MRIs, who can provide ‘more precise’ information.
‘I just think, as I say, stress please, please, please if you’re over 50 and you’re slightly concerned and if you have symptoms, do go along to your GP,’ he added.
How common is prostate cancer and what are symptoms?
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK, with around 52,300 men diagnosed with the condition every year, Cancer Research UK states.
It is more prevalent among older men, with around 35% of new cases every year diagnosed in men aged 75 and over.
Prostate cancer does not usually cause symptoms in the early stages, the charity states. If it has already spread to other parts of the body, it can cause symptoms including back or bone pain that doesn’t go away with rest, tiredness and unexplained weight loss.
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
