06 January 2024 , 19:10
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Tom Watson has urged men over 50 to get tested for prostate cancer after revealing he was diagnosed with the disease.
Writing in his email newsletter, the Labour big beast said his treatment had been successful and latest scans showed no trace of cancer.
He told this newspaper: “The non-aggressive cancer was only discovered because my brilliant GP insisted I take an annual PSA (Prostate-specific Antigen) test. Every man over 50 is entitled to one and I urge them to do so.”
Lord Watson wrote that hearing the diagnosis caused his world to “tilt”.
“That word ‘cancer’ - it truly did me in,” he wrote. “I grappled with fears of dying, sexual dysfunction, and even the prospect of wearing nappies before turning 60.”
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He said the shock had prompted him to grow closer to his children and rewrite his will - but had left him “frazzled”. And he said despite knowing prostate cancer is low risk, “the fear of imminent death was overwhelming.”
Prostate cancer is the UK’s most common in men, with more than 52,000 cases a year - but survival rates are over 97%.
Lord Watson said his personal battle had made him think about how the health profession talks to patients about low-risk cancers. Some medical experts have called for such cancers to be renamed to reduce anxiety for patients.
“It’s about communication,” he wrote. “Helping the public understand that not all cancers are the same and that a diagnosis, while serious, doesn't always spell immediate danger.”
He added: “By categorising some as benign and educating on the differences between low-risk and no-risk, we can reassure people that not all cancers pose the same threat. In the end, it's about living life with wonder and curiosity. Holding loved ones close, engaging in simple health practices, and maintaining communication – not just about medical facts but experiences, fears, and hopes. In this shared understanding and support, we find we're not alone in our battles.”