Bill Turnbull's death leads to spike in prostate cancer referrals

Former BBC presenter's public battle with the disease prompts more men to seek help

Referrals up by a third since Turnbull's death

The death of former BBC presenter Bill Turnbull has led to a spike in prostate cancer referrals, according to Prostate Cancer UK.

Turnbull, who died in August 2022 at the age of 66, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018. He spoke publicly about his diagnosis in the hope of raising awareness of the disease and encouraging men to get checked.

Prostate Cancer UK said that after Turnbull announced he had the illness in March 2018, their specialist nurses took 3,000 calls from men who were concerned about their symptoms. In the month following his death, referrals for prostate cancer increased by a third.

"Bill Turnbull's death is a tragic reminder of the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer," said Prostate Cancer UK's chief executive, Angela Culhane.

"His bravery in speaking out about his diagnosis has undoubtedly helped to save lives. We urge men to be aware of the symptoms of prostate cancer and to get checked if they have any concerns."

The symptoms of prostate cancer can include difficulty urinating, frequent urination, and pain or discomfort in the lower back, pelvis, or thighs. If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor right away.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK, with around 52,000 new cases diagnosed each year. The good news is that prostate cancer is often curable if it is caught early, so it is important to get checked if you have any concerns.