The Undertones frontman Feargal Sharkey has spoken out about his prostate cancer diagnosis, urging men over the age of 45 to get tested for the disease
Feargal Sharkey of punk band The Undertones has addressed his cancer diagnosis.
The Water activist has disclosed that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer after visiting his GP for a sore throat.
The Undertones frontman, 66, is doing “very well” and vowed to “carry on this fight” for clean waterways after the health scare was “resolved” a year ago.
Feargal publicly shared his diagnosis for the first time in an effort to urge other men to get screened for cancer. Speaking to the Express, he said: “About a year and a half ago, I randomly went to see my GP with a sore throat.”
“Now I’ve known him long enough but he goes: ‘No no, you’re that bloke that used to sing. So if you’re telling me you’ve got a sore throat, there’s something going on’.”
“So my doctor, being the beautiful, wonderful, awkward, cantankerous old man that he is went: ‘Oh Feargal, by the way, you’re 65 now, I’m going to run the full battery of tests,” reports the Express.
Feargal explained that just two days later he “began a journey which led to the diagnosis of prostate cancer”. The Undertones star explained that his health was “resolved a year ago” and has begun urging his fans to get checked.
“Here we are, had it not been for that random visit to my local GP I would never have known that I was at that point carrying prostate cancer. If it had not been seen to, it could have been a very different ending and a very different outcome to my life.”
“The reason I’m very happy to talk about it is because if there’s one man out there over the age of 45 go and see your GP. Go and get the blood test done.”
He explained that “one in eight” men will be “put on the same journey he’s had”.
The former vocalist said: “So go and have the blood test and if you’re lucky, you’ll walk away. If you’re lucky, like me hopefully, you’ll have caught it early on and you can deal with it and get on top of it.”
“I have such unbelievable admiration for Chris Hoy over the last couple of months, if you end up where Chris is, well you’re now looking for a very different outcome and not the one you were expecting for your life, my friend. So, for a blood test – go get it done right now.”
Sir Chris, aged 49 and a six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist, revealed in February 2024 that he was receiving treatment for prostate cancer.
He disclosed in October that his diagnosis was terminal as the primary cancer had metastasised to his bones, with doctors estimating he had between two and four years to live.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
