THOUSANDS of men will get the prostate cancer test used to diagnose Jeremy Clarkson as part of a study.
The Stockholm 3 blood check is said to be more accurate at spotting aggressive tumours than the prostate-specific antigen test currently used by the NHS.
The Top Gear and Clarkson’s Farm star, 66, was diagnosed last year after getting a positive result from the test following a warning from a basic blood check.
He had surgery and revealed he was in remission in the latest series of his farming show, which won a National Television Award on Tuesday night.
Now the test will be offered to up to 10,000 men aged 45 to 74 at a discounted £99 and given free on the NHS to 2,000 more on lower incomes.
It would typically cost £500 at a private clinic.
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The Stockholm 3 test uses a man’s blood markers, genetic information and medical history to test for prostate cancer.
Campaigners including Sir Chris Hoy are calling for more to be done to detect the UK’s most common cancer.
The six-time Olympic cycling champ, 50, has been diagnosed with a terminal form of prostate cancer.
He recently described having “ups and downs” but said that he tries to remain in the present.
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What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer affects a small, walnut shaped gland that sits underneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra – the tube carrying pee outside the body.
It usually grows bigger as you get older.
The prostate’s main job is to help make semen – the fluid that carries sperm.
Most men with early prostate cancer don’t have any signs or symptoms – that’s why it’s important to know about your risk.
Possible symptoms include:
- Difficulty starting to urinate or emptying your bladder
- A weak flow when you urinate
- A feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly
- Dribbling urine after you finish urinating
- Needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night
- A sudden need to urinate – you may sometimes leak urine before you get to the toilet
If you do notice changes in the way you urinate, this is more likely to be a sign of an enlarged prostate, which is very common and non-cancerous.
But it’s still a good idea to get it checked out.
In the UK, about one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
Some factors may mean you’re more likely to get it.
This includes:
- Getting older – it mainly affects men aged 50 or over
- Having a family history of prostate cancer
- Being Black
If you have any of these risk factors or if you have any symptoms, speak to your GP.
They can talk to you about your risk, and about the tests that are used to diagnose prostate cancer.
Source: Prostate Cancer UK