Comedian Fred MacAulay: 'Thousands of men will unknowingly have a tumour in their prostate'

Scottish comedian Fred MacAulay has said thousands of men in Scotland could be walking around with prostate cancer without symptoms.

The 68-year-old revealed in July that he had been diagnosed with the disease, after getting regular checks since his father and brother, Duncan, were both diagnosed with the condition.

Both brothers are at a different stage of the disease, with Fred now on an active surveillance programme.

He and Duncan are now both encouraging men with a family history of prostate cancer to go to the GP for a simple test that could save their life – even if they have no symptoms.

‘Many men have a tumour in their prostate’

Duncan was encouraged to go to the doctor back in 2017 after a friend noticed he was going to the bathroom more frequently.

Despite no other noticeable symptoms, he went to have a PSA test – a blood test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen in a man’s blood

“Then I went in about three weeks afterwards, to see the result of it, and got told I had fairly advanced prostate cancer”, he told STV News.

Duncan had treatment and went into remission, but a few years later, doctors discovered the cancer had come back and had spread to four sites in his bones – he’s now on medication which keeps the disease at bay

It was his brother’s diagnosis that prompted Fred to be regularly checked.

His recent results showed that he, too, had developed prostate cancer, but due to his diligence, it was caught at an early stage.

“If Duncan hadn’t told me to go, I probably wouldn’t have gone”, Fred said.

“I always kind of suspected, but was hoping I’d be lucky not to get it, but thought it was going to be there on the horizon at some point.

“There are literally thousands of men in Scotland who are walking about symptom-free, and many of them sadly will have a tumour growing in their prostate”, he added.

Professor Alan McNeill said men with one family member with prostate cancer have a one in four chance of developing the disease. STV News

Scotland

First Minister meets Sir Chris Hoy to discuss prostate cancer testing

The champion cyclist met the First Minister and health secretary at Bute House in Edinburgh.

Currently, men over the age of 50 are considered to be at the highest risk, with the health service urging them to get tested.

Sir Chris Hoy met with the First Minister to discuss his diagnosis – another high-profile figure calling for change to the rules for testing, which is not routinely done.

The champion cyclist was diagnosed with the disease last year, before finding out it was terminal.

He spoke to the First Minister – along with health secretary Neil Gray – in a roundtable at Swinney’s official residence Bute House in Edinburgh on Friday, along with his wife Lady Sarra Hoy and others who have experience of living with prostate cancer.

It comes amid his calls for GPs to proactively contact men known to be at higher risk – for instance, due to a family history of prostate cancer – earlier to offer a test.

Professor Alan McNeill, consultant urologist, said: “Men with one family member have a one in four chance, men with two direct family members with prostate cancer have a one in two chance, so it’s really worth these guys going and talking to their doctors from the age of 45.”

Chris Hoy was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer last year. STV News

Health secretary Neil Gray said it’s “so important” to raise awareness of the diseases’ symptoms.

He said: “I thank Fred for his courage in speaking out about this important topic. Thanks to his early diagnosis, Fred is able to receive treatment. This is why it’s so important to raise awareness of the symptoms and main risk factors.

“The First Minister and I recently met with Sir Chris Hoy, his wife Lady Sarra Hoy, and doctors, charity leaders and people with experience of prostate cancer. We discussed ways to raise awareness, and approaches to diagnosis, screening and treatment.

“I am so grateful to Fred and Chris for their selfless work raising awareness, which is helping to save lives.

“We published refreshed referral guidelines for suspected cancer last week. These make it easier for GPs to make sure that people are on the right diagnostic pathways at the right time, and set out clear advice regarding the higher risks for those at higher risk of prostate cancer, including black men and those with a family history.

“The most important message remains – if you have any concerns around symptoms, including urinating more often, or with increased difficulty or weak flow, contact your GP without delay. It could be the most important call you’ll ever make.”