TV presenter, 78, reveals prostate ordeal
Ordeal ... Michael Parkinson has revealed he has been diagnosed with cancer
TELLY legend Michael Parkinson today reveals his battle with prostate cancer — as he urges men everywhere not to ignore the killer disease.
The 78-year-old chat show legend, who has just begun intensive radiotherapy, said it is vital to face up to cancer if sufferers are to beat it.
Brave ... Michael Parkinson reveals his fight
And Parky urged all men to do a simple test. He said: “On a Friday night, in the pub, you’ll find yourself in a urinal. So try to hit the wall from 2ft.
“If you can’t, go to the doctor. There may be no pain or discomfort. There may be no symptoms. But get checked immediately.”
Parky, whose searching interviews with the superstars of showbiz, sport and politics made him a household name, was diagnosed following a routine medical.
He said: “I have prostate cancer — and I must admit it is a bore. I am 78. Of course mortality is on the mind. But I’m not afraid.
“I have been told to expect to make a full recovery. And that is the goal.
“My wife Mary has been a tremendous support and while she has been, of course, very upset, she can see how I have approached this. Once she realised I wouldn’t let it affect me, Mary was fine.
“I don’t feel ill. And I will keep working. I have no intention of stopping working.”
'There wasn't a great fear, but I was upset' ... Michael Parkinson
Parky is to join forces with the Sun to launch a campaign to raise awareness of prostate cancer.
He said: “All that concerns me now is for men around the country to stop and take notice of any symptoms that might save their lives.
“I’m not a softy. If you show the symptoms of this dreadful disease, get help. Men need to get themselves checked. It will save lives.
“Men are terrified of disease, which is not our fault.
“But it’s ridiculous all the same. Live or die.”
In a 50-year career, Parkinson has given the public a unique insight into the lives of famous figures ranging from Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali to David Beckham and John Lennon.
'Mortality is on the mind, I'm not afraid' ... Michael says he is set to make a full recovery
But he said the glitter of fame means nothing compared to the stark reality of a killer disease such as cancer.
He added: “Celebrity is nothing. What does it mean? Very little.
“Cancer is very real. But it is something you can only beat down if you stare it in the face.
“For that you need to be diagnosed. For that you need the courage to address the symptoms.
“And for that I am here to say, ‘Do it.’
“For any person reading this who might think, ‘Yeah, there have been a few problems, but it will pass,’ go to the doctor. Do it today. Honestly, it could save your life.”
Parkinson was first told he might have a problem after a routine medical in October.
Results from a PSA prostate test were abnormal. He was called back for more tests.
Send your get well message #sunparky
Parky said: “I felt completely well but as the tests went on I started to suspect it might be serious.” In May he was diagnosed with cancer.
He said: “I was sat in a room with a team of people. They said, ‘You have prostate cancer.’
“I had expected it so there wasn’t this great moment of fear. But, of course, it was upsetting.” He began radiotherapy on Monday at Cromwell Hospital in London’s South Kensington Leading specialists Andrew Gaya and Professor Justin Stebbing are treating him.
He has three weeks remaining of intensive radiotherapy and his prognosis is good.
'You can win, but you need to be diagnosed' ... Michael reveals his relief at catching disease early
Parkinson outlined his treatment — and stressed that it is a process that is free from both pain or discomfort.
He said: “You lie in a tube. You drop your pants. No one sees you naked. You lie there while a machine makes a gentle sound. There is no pain. For six minutes.
“It’s boring. In fact, I started memorising songs in my head that would last six minutes but I could never get the timing spot on.
“I’d just be in my tube, humming. Then it’s over and you leave.
“I’m not playing it down. The point I want to make is that if prostate cancer is identified early, it is treatable and curable.”
Parky told of several incidents in hospital that made him reflect on his life — and his fame.
Smiles ... Michael Parkinson interviewed Victoria and David Beckham
BBC
He said: “There was one incident where a man actually stopped the lift doors from shutting whilst I was in it.
“He said, ‘Can you interview my wife?’ I thought, ‘What am I supposed to do? Interview his wife or punch him in the face?’
“In hospital, cancer patients all look at each other. Women with no hair, children. It’s terrible.
“I haven’t been tested like they have. They are brave through necessity. I feel lucky.
“I really do welcome The Sun’s support for anything that raises awareness for male prostate cancer.
“I am a journalist. I am also a public figure. With that comes a responsibility.
“And mine is to raise awareness for this disease.”
Battling ... Michael Parkinson with wife Mary
Alpha Press
Parky, the son of a Yorkshire miner, started his career as a newspaper journalist before moving to TV.
He made a name for himself at Granada TV as a current affairs producer before joining the BBC in 1967. In 1971 his chat show Parkinson was launched and ran until 1982. It was relaunched in 1998.
By the time Parkinson finally came to an end in December 2007, he had interviewed more than 2,000 celebrities. The family man, who has three children and eight grandchildren, has just finished his second series of Parkinson Masterclass for Sky Arts.
MICHAEL Parkinson has donated his interview fee to a cancer charity.
King of the chat show
Top telly star ... Michael Parkinson with Muhammad Ali
BBC
PARKY is renowned as a charmer whose laid-back interview style allows his guests to open up.
He famously got Victoria Beckham to confess her nickname for hubby David was “Goldenballs.” And Hollywood’s Nicole Kidman broke her silence about her divorce from Tom Cruise on his show.
Parky’s most celebrated verbal sparring came during four interviews with boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who he describes as his most memorable guest.
Guests ... Michael Parkinson with Emu, Gaybo and Meg Ryan
Other memories are less pleasant. In 2003 a frosty Meg Ryan sat stoney-faced as Parky tried in vain to prise some answers from her.
But perhaps his most famous encounter was a hilarious meeting with comic Rod Hull and glove puppet Emu. Footage of Parky rolling around on the floor as he is pecked and groped by Emu remains one of TV’s best-loved clips.
How to spot it
THE prostate is a small gland, normally about the size of a walnut, between the male bladder and rectum.
Men over 50 are more likely to suffer prostate cancer.
Danger signs include: Needing to urinate frequently — often during the night — or having to rush to the toilet.
Other symptoms can include: Difficulty in starting to urinate or hesitancy, a weak flow, urine leakage and feeling as if your bladder has not emptied.
myView
By CAROL COOPER, Sun doctor
PROSTATE cancer is the most common male form of the disease.
Tests used to diagnose prostate cancer include PSA blood tests, rectal examination to assess the prostate, and biopsy.
PSA screening may help men with a high risk of the disease but can be unreliable.
Often they reveal slow-growing cancers that would never have caused trouble.
Many prostate cancers can be cured if diagnosed when the disease is localised.
A lot depends on how aggressive that cancer is.
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