BBC Breakfast star Bill Turnbull has sadly died aged 66 after a heartbreaking battle with prostate cancer.
Before his death, the former presenter said that he missed some early warning signs which led to his terminal diagnosis in 2017. He made the news public in 2018 - sharing it had spread to his legs, hips, pelvis and ribs.
Throughout his illness, the BBC veteran urged people to be aware of warning signs and to get checked out if something doesn't seem right.
The 66-year-old admitted in a Channel 4 interview that he hadn't been to a GP in four years ahead of his diagnosis.
He urged others not to make the same mistake, saying in the interview: "Men don't want to go to the doctors, as simple as that.
"I didn't want to go to the doctor. Now I'm going to the doctor all the time. They all know me on a first name basis."
In response to the tragic news, Prostate Cancer UK tweeted: “Our friend and ambassador Bill Turnbull has died.
“Bill worked tirelessly to raise awareness of prostate cancer following his diagnosis in 2017, and it was our privilege to work alongside him.
“Our thoughts are with Bill’s loved ones today.”
NHS England also shared information on prostate cancer along with a message: “We’re sad to hear about the death of Bill Turnbull from prostate cancer.”
It tweeted: “1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer — that’s a dad, brother, uncle or best mate. Read about the symptoms, causes and tests for prostate cancer, and share with your loved ones.”
Here are the early warning signs that Bill said he ignored, as well as other symptoms that you should look out for.
Bill Turnbull's early prostate cancer symptoms
On BBC's Morning Live in 2018, he said: "I didn't get checked which is why I'm in the situation I'm in now."
The presenter added: "And we were working out the other day; the first symptoms were maybe six months, eight months before I got diagnosed, with aches and pains that didn't go away.
"And actually there were other warning signs in the previous years as well that I should have paid attention to."
He also told Channel 4 that he got pains in his legs and hips. As they came and went, he thought the pain was just down to old age.
Full list of prostate cancer symptoms
Cancer Research UK warns that prostate cancer does not usually cause symptoms in the early stages.
The charity says that if prostate cancer has already spread to other parts of the body, it can cause symptoms such as:
- back or bone pain that doesn’t go away with rest
- tiredness
- weight loss for no reason
Scotland's NHS Inform adds that the cancer can grow large enough to put pressure on the urethra. This could cause the following symptoms:
- needing to urinate more frequently, often during the night
- needing to rush to the toilet
- difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy)
- straining or taking a long time while urinating
- weak flow
- feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
NHS Inform have said that PSA tests - which is a blood test to help detect prostate cancer - are not as reliable as doctors would like. This meaning that other tests and investigations are needed including biopsies that could feel invasive and sometimes painful to diagnose prostate cancer.
However, Cancer Research UK says that you should not delay seeing your GP if you are concerned. This is because the earlier it is picked up the higher the chance of successful treatment.
The charity research group adds that anything you tell your GP is confidential. Doctors are used to discussing intimate problems and will do their best to put you at ease.
NHS Inform says that there is an informed choice programme called prostate cancer risk management. It aims to give men and anyone with a prostate good information on the pros and cons of a PSA test.
Those aged 50 or over with a prostate can have their PSA levels tested after talking with a GP, it will be carried out for free on the NHS.
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