Health and Me

Ishita Roy

David Cameron, Former UK Prime Minister, Has Prostate Cancer

Former UK Prime Minister <span>David Cameron</span> revealed his <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/prostate-cancer">prostate cancer</a></span> diagnosis and has called for a targeted screening. In an interview with Times, he said, "You always hope for the best. You have a high PSA score - that is probably nothing. You have an MRI scan with a few black marks on it. You think, ‘Ah, that’s probably OK.’ But when the biopsy comes back, and it says you have got prostate cancer. You always dread hearing those words. And then literally as they’re coming out of the doctor’s mouth you’re thinking, ‘Oh, no, he’s going to say it. He’s going to say it. Oh God, he said it.’"

The former PM, 59, said that he had a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for the screening that looks for proteins associated with the form of the disease. His result was high, and a biopsy after that revealed his cancer. 

It was his wife, Samantha, who urged him to get tested, after the couple heard the founder of Soho House, Nick Jones, talking about his diagnosis on radio. Cameron had received focal therapy for treatment, where electrical pulses target and destroy the cancer cells.

<h2>Cameron Calls for National Prostate Cancer Screening</h2>

He has urged the government to introduce a national screening programme to detect prostate cancer earlier, when treatment is far more effective.

Cameron said, “I want to, as it were, come out. I want to add my name to the long list of people calling for a targeted screening programme.

“I don’t particularly like discussing my personal intimate health issues, but I feel I ought to. Let’s be honest. Men are not very good at talking about their health. We tend to put things off.”

<h2>Prostate Cancer: The UK’s Most Common Male Cancer</h2>

Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer among men in the UK, with around 55,000 cases diagnosed every year. Despite this, there is currently no national screening programme because of concerns over the accuracy of PSA tests.

In October 2024, six-time Olympic gold medallist <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/olympic-cyclist-sir-chris-hoy-shares-his-diagnosis-of-prostate-cancer-from-a-common-shoulder-pain-article-151073418" data-type="tilCustomLink">Chris Hoy</a> revealed he had been diagnosed with terminal stage 4 cancer. His prostate cancer had spread to his shoulder, pelvis, hips, ribs and spine.

Read:<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/olympic-cyclist-sir-chris-hoy-shares-his-diagnosis-of-prostate-cancer-from-a-common-shoulder-pain-article-151073418" data-type="tilCustomLink"> Olympic Cyclist Sir Chris Hoy Shares His Diagnosis Of Prostate Cancer From A Common Shoulder Pain</a> 

Cameron, who stepped down as prime minister and MP in 2016, returned to government as foreign secretary under Rishi Sunak in 2023 and was appointed a life peer in the House of Lords.

<h2>New Screening Trial Begins Across the UK</h2>

Cameron’s announcement comes just days after eligible men began receiving invitations to join a major trial testing the most promising prostate cancer screening technologies.

The Transform project will evaluate new screening methods against current NHS diagnostic pathways, which typically include blood tests and biopsies. The trial is being run in partnership with the NHS through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, which has committed £16 million, with additional funding from Prostate Cancer UK.

Its launch coincides with the UK National Screening Committee’s upcoming decision on whether current evidence supports introducing national screening.

<h2>‘Men’s Lives Should Not Be Left to Chance’</h2>

Chiara De Biase, director of health services, equity and improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, welcomed Cameron’s openness about his diagnosis.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/joe-biden-is-diagnosed-with-aggressive-prostate-cancer-all-that-you-need-to-know-article-151669856" data-type="tilCustomLink">Joe Biden Is Diagnosed With Aggressive Prostate Cancer: All That You Need To Know</a>

“We’re glad to hear that David Cameron found his prostate cancer at an early stage and had successful treatment,” she said. “We thank him for sharing his story and raising vital awareness of this disease, which is completely curable if found early. But men’s lives should not be left to chance.

“We lose 12,000 dads, brothers, sons and friends every year. We’ve reached a tipping point in the UK, with too many men dying from a curable disease and worse outcomes for higher-risk groups like black men and men from working-class communities.

“Prostate cancer is the last major cancer without a screening programme, and we need change now.”

<h2>What Happens In Prostate Cancer?</h2>

As per Urology Care Foundation, prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells form and grow in the prostate gland. Not all abnormal growths, also called tumors, are cancerous. Some are benign growth and are not life threatening. They also do not spread to nearby tissue or other parts of the body.

Whereas cancerous growths can spread to nearby organs and tissues, as in the case of Biden.

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Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis and has called for a targeted screening. In an interview with Times, he said, "You always hope for the best. You have a high PSA score - that is probably nothing. You have an MRI scan with a few black marks on it. You think, ‘Ah, that’s probably OK.’ But when the biopsy comes back, and it says you have got prostate cancer. You always dread hearing those words. And then literally as they’re coming out of the doctor’s mouth you’re thinking, ‘Oh, no, he’s going to say it. He’s going to say it. Oh God, he said it.’"The former PM, 59, said that he had a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for the screening that looks for proteins associated with the form of the disease. His result was high, and a biopsy after that revealed his cancer. It was his wife, Samantha, who urged him to get tested, after the couple heard the founder of Soho House, Nick Jones, talking about his diagnosis on radio. Cameron had received focal therapy for treatment, where electrical pulses target and destroy the cancer cells.Cameron Calls for National Prostate Cancer ScreeningHe has urged the government to introduce a national screening programme to detect prostate cancer earlier, when treatment is far more effective.Cameron said, “I want to, as it were, come out. I want to add my name to the long list of people calling for a targeted screening programme.“I don’t particularly like discussing my personal intimate health issues, but I feel I ought to. Let’s be honest. Men are not very good at talking about their health. We tend to put things off.”Prostate Cancer: The UK’s Most Common Male CancerProstate cancer remains the most common cancer among men in the UK, with around 55,000 cases diagnosed every year. Despite this, there is currently no national screening programme because of concerns over the accuracy of PSA tests.In October 2024, six-time Olympic gold medallist Chris Hoy revealed he had been diagnosed with terminal stage 4 cancer. His prostate cancer had spread to his shoulder, pelvis, hips, ribs and spine.Read: Olympic Cyclist Sir Chris Hoy Shares His Diagnosis Of Prostate Cancer From A Common Shoulder Pain Cameron, who stepped down as prime minister and MP in 2016, returned to government as foreign secretary under Rishi Sunak in 2023 and was appointed a life peer in the House of Lords.New Screening Trial Begins Across the UKCameron’s announcement comes just days after eligible men began receiving invitations to join a major trial testing the most promising prostate cancer screening technologies.The Transform project will evaluate new screening methods against current NHS diagnostic pathways, which typically include blood tests and biopsies. The trial is being run in partnership with the NHS through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, which has committed £16 million, with additional funding from Prostate Cancer UK.Its launch coincides with the UK National Screening Committee’s upcoming decision on whether current evidence supports introducing national screening.‘Men’s Lives Should Not Be Left to Chance’Chiara De Biase, director of health services, equity and improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, welcomed Cameron’s openness about his diagnosis.Also Read: Joe Biden Is Diagnosed With Aggressive Prostate Cancer: All That You Need To Know“We’re glad to hear that David Cameron found his prostate cancer at an early stage and had successful treatment,” she said. “We thank him for sharing his story and raising vital awareness of this disease, which is completely curable if found early. But men’s lives should not be left to chance.“We lose 12,000 dads, brothers, sons and friends every year. We’ve reached a tipping point in the UK, with too many men dying from a curable disease and worse outcomes for higher-risk groups like black men and men from working-class communities.“Prostate cancer is the last major cancer without a screening programme, and we need change now.”What Happens In Prostate Cancer?As per Urology Care Foundation, prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells form and grow in the prostate gland. Not all abnormal growths, also called tumors, are cancerous. Some are benign growth and are not life threatening. They also do not spread to nearby tissue or other parts of the body.Whereas cancerous growths can spread to nearby organs and tissues, as in the case of Biden.