Jeremy Clarkson has been diagnosed with a serious type of prostate cancer and reveals the news to co-stars Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland on the latest series of Clarkson’s Farm
The NHS lists symptoms of the common cancer(Image: Getty)
Jeremy Clarkson has revealed that he has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men worldwide. The 66-year-old TV presenter made the announcement during the final episodes of the fifth series of his Amazon Prime Video show, Clarkson’s Farm, which dropped overnight and is filmed in Yorkshire.
In footage shot as he prepares for the harvest, Clarkson breaks the news to his clearly shocked co-stars Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland, bluntly stating, “I have cancer.” Clarkson explained that he discovered his condition after a medical examination and a subsequent biopsy.
While acknowledging that the cancer is “aggressive”, he offered reassurance to colleagues and the audience that it had been caught at a “really early stage”. He revealed that he had undergone a surgical procedure to remove the affected tissue, noting that “10 percent” of his prostate had been excised, reports Yorkshire Live.
Still, the series finale ends with Clarkson speaking from a hospital bed, admitting that “some of the treatment has gone awry” and that he expects to be sidelined for some time.
Before the episodes went live, Clarkson posted a video message on his Instagram, warning followers that the series finale would prove to be a “really, really difficult watch”. He ended with a poignant message about the show’s future, saying, “If it all works out, I’ll see you for season six. And if it doesn’t, I won’t.”
The NHS offers extensive online resources on prostate cancer, covering its warning signs and underlying causes. The condition primarily affects older men, with most diagnoses occurring around the age of 67.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer affects the prostate gland itself. The prostate is a compact gland, about the size of a walnut, located below the bladder. It produces a thick, white substance that mixes with semen to create semen.
The NHS states that this type of cancer is most often found in men over 50, those whose relatives have had prostate cancer, people with certain genetic variations or men of black African or African Caribbean heritage. Anyone who has a prostate can get it.
How serious prostate cancer becomes depends on how quickly it develops and whether it has migrated to different parts of the body. When prostate cancer is caught early, it can often be managed effectively. That said, not all cases require treatment. In its early stages, prostate cancer usually does not trigger any obvious warning signs or symptoms.
As the disease progresses, symptoms may occur, including discomfort in the back, hips or pelvis, along with difficulty achieving an erection. Urinary problems may also occur, although these may signal alternative prostate-related disorders.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
In the early stages, prostate cancer usually shows no warning signs. It tends to appear in the outer region of the prostate, which means it does not compress the urethra – the channel that carries urine from the bladder through the penis – so indicators will not appear until the disease has progressed or metastasized.
The NHS says that if this were to happen, it could trigger changes in urination patterns, including:
- have difficulty starting to urinate or strain to urinate
- have a weak urine stream
- “stop start” peeing
- need to urinate urgently or frequently, or both
- feeling like you still need to pee when you’ve just finished
- urinating during the night
Additional indicators may include:
- erectile dysfunction (unable to get or keep an erection)
- blood in your urine or blood in your semen
- lower back pain and weight loss without trying (these may be symptoms of advanced prostate cancer)
When should you see a general practitioner?
The NHS says: “If you have trouble passing urine or have other symptoms of prostate cancer, you are over 40 years old and genetic tests have shown that you have a faulty version of a gene called BRCA2 (this increases your risk of prostate cancer). And you are worried about your risk of prostate cancer.”
It adds: “You can ask your GP to have a blood test (PSA test) to show if there are problems with your prostate, even if you have no symptoms. They will consider your cancer risk to help them decide if the test is the right choice for you.”
Important considerations
Experiencing these indicators does not necessarily confirm prostate cancer. They can also occur as a result of benign prostatic hyperplasia, a common non-malignant condition that occurs when the prostate naturally enlarges over the years. Some symptoms may become familiar over time, but it is important to consult a doctor if they change, intensify or seem abnormal.
Who is more likely to get prostate cancer?
The probability of developing prostate cancer increases with age and primarily affects men over 50. Anyone who has a prostate can develop it. Your chances of getting prostate cancer may be increased if:
- you are over 50 years old
- you are from a black African or African Caribbean ethnic background
- you have a history of prostate cancer in your family
- a close relative has had pancreatic cancer, breast cancer or ovarian cancer, especially at a young age – because prostate cancer is sometimes caused by the same inherited genes (a faulty version of a gene called BRCA2)
The NHS advises: “Speak to a GP if you are concerned about your risk of prostate cancer, even if you have no symptoms. Symptoms of prostate cancer do not always appear until the cancer has grown or spread.”
