Massive 640% surge in prostate checks after Jeremy Clarkson went public with his cancer diagnosis
Jeremy Clarkson’s prostate cancer diagnosis has prompted thousands of men to check their own risk of contracting the disease.
More than 50,000 used Prostate Cancer UK’s online tool in the week since the former Top Gear host went public with his own diagnosis.
This marked a 640 per cent increase on the average week – and was even higher than when former prime minister Lord Cameron revealed last year that he had been treated for the illness.
Clarkson, 66, announced he had been diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ prostate cancer, which had been discovered early, in the most recent episodes of his show Clarkson’s Farm.
In a subsequent interview with The Sunday Times, he confirmed a PSA test two months ago revealed no indication of cancer and that he is in remission.
He went on to urge men to get checked for risk of the disease.
The charity’s website prostatecanceruk.org also saw a spike in traffic following his revelation, with 170,813 users in the next week – 74 per cent up on the average.
Chiara De Biase, of Prostate Cancer UK, said: ‘There’s little doubt that Jeremy’s story has struck a chord and we thank him once again for sharing his story.
Jeremy Clarkson’s prostate cancer diagnosis has prompted thousands of men to check their own risk of contracting the disease
Clarkson, 66, announced he had been diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ prostate cancer, which had been discovered early, in the most recent episodes of his show Clarkson’s Farm
‘One in eight men will get prostate cancer. All too often men find out by complete chance – and too late. Thankfully Jeremy’s disease was diagnosed at an earlier stage.’
She added: ‘More than 10,000 dads, brothers, sons and friends are diagnosed too late for a cure every year.
‘It’s why high–profile stories like this are incredibly impactful. But the fact the responsibility to know if you’re at higher risk of prostate cancer – and to act on it – still rests entirely on men’s shoulders simply has to change.’
The Daily Mail has joined forces with the charity to campaign for a national screening programme for the disease.
Ms De Biase said: ‘We remain committed to finding the safest and most effective way to screen all men for prostate cancer.
‘But right now it remains the most common cancer without a screening programme.
‘The figures over the past seven days have been incredible. Since Jeremy selflessly shared his story, more than 50,000 people have completed our award–winning online risk checker.
‘Our website has shown a massive increase in traffic too, so this all adds up to men taking crucial action which could save their lives.’
