Cliff Richard, the renowned British singer, has disclosed that he has been undergoing treatment for prostate cancer over the past year. The 85-year-old artist shared his health journey during an interview on Good Morning Britain, stating that his cancer is currently in remission but emphasized the importance of regular screening for men.
In his candid remarks, Richard expressed uncertainty about the future, saying, “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.” His diagnosis came after a health check related to insurance prior to his concert tour in Australia and New Zealand.
Richard explained that he was fortunate because the cancer was detected early, noting, “The good fortune was that it was not very old; and the other thing is that it has not metastasised. Nothing had moved into bones or anything like that.” The singer, whose extensive career features hits like “The Young Ones” and “We Don’t Talk Anymore,” criticized the absence of a national screening programme for prostate cancer, calling it “absolutely ridiculous.”
Calls for Action on Prostate Cancer Screening
Richard argued that governments have a responsibility to protect their citizens’ health, stating, “We have governments to look after our country and those who live in that country, so I can’t see how you can say: ‘Oh, we can do this, we can do that, but we don’t do this for these people’.” He urged that all men should have equal access to screening, emphasizing the benefits of early detection and treatment.
His comments come in light of King Charles’s recent announcement regarding his own cancer treatment, which will be reduced in the new year. Richard expressed his willingness to collaborate with the King to raise awareness about prostate cancer. “I’ve been involved with many charities over the years, and if the king is happy to front it for us, I’m sure loads of people – I certainly would join him,” he said.
In November, the UK National Screening Committee proposed a draft recommendation for a targeted prostate cancer screening programme. If approved, this initiative would invite men aged between 45 and 61 who possess genetic mutations of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes to undergo screening every two years.
The potential implementation of such a programme could significantly impact men’s health and early detection rates, aligning with Richard’s advocacy for proactive measures in combating prostate cancer. As discussions around screening continue, Richard’s personal experience serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of early detection and treatment in improving health outcomes.
