Sir Cliff Richard has disclosed that he has been receiving treatment for prostate cancer over the past year.
The 85-year-old singer, renowned for songs like Mistletoe and Wine, The Young Ones, and Summer Holiday, has enjoyed a 65-year-long music career, during which he has earned three BRIT Awards and two Ivor Novello Awards.
Richard discovered his diagnosis during a routine health check required for insurance purposes ahead of his tour in Australia and New Zealand.
In a conversation with the British morning show Good Morning Britain, he conveyed the positive news that his cancer is ‘gone at the moment.’
“The good fortune was that it was not very old, and the other thing is that it has not metastasized,” he mentioned. “Nothing had moved into bones or anything like that.”
Take a listen here:
“I don’t know whether it’s going to come back. We can’t tell those sort of things, but we need to, absolutely, I’m convinced, get there, get tested, get checked,” he urged, advocating for nationwide prostate cancer screenings across the UK.
Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate, a small gland beneath the bladder aiding in semen production, begin to grow abnormally.
Though it is one of the most prevalent cancers, it is frequently highly treatable if detected early, owing to its slow progression.
In the United States, approximately 313,780 new cases of prostate cancer are identified each year, according to statistics from the American Cancer Society.
Factors such as being over 50, tobacco use, and obesity increase the likelihood of developing prostate cancer, the Mayo Clinic reports. A family history of prostate cancer can also elevate risk.
Treatment options include surgery to remove the prostate, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy. If the cancer has spread, chemotherapy might be necessary.
The Mayo Clinic has identified five early symptoms of prostate cancer. These often impact urination patterns and may be misinterpreted as other health concerns.
They include:
More advanced prostate cancer, potentially having spread throughout the body, manifests with different symptoms. Watch for these indicators:
If you have any concerns, it is advisable to consult a doctor.
If you’ve been impacted by any of these issues and wish to speak with someone confidentially, reach out to the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or through their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.