Cliff Notes – Presenter declares himself a ‘lucky boy’ after devastating cancer diagnosis
- Nick Owen, diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in April 2023, has shared his experience publicly, stating he feels ‘lucky’ and hopes to be cancer-free after treatment.
- His openness has led to numerous men reaching out to thank him for raising awareness and prompting them to get PSA tests, highlighting the importance of early detection.
- Owen urges his sons and others to take prostate health seriously, advocating for earlier testing and awareness of potential symptoms, despite his own lack of symptoms at diagnosis.
BBC presenter declares himself a ‘lucky boy’ after devastating cancer diagnosis
Presenter Nick Owen has reflected on his crushing cancer diagnosis and the powerful impact he had by going public.
The former BBC star, who also hosted on Good Morning Britain, was told he had an ‘extensive’ and ‘aggressive’ form of prostate cancer in April 2023.
He shared his diagnosis with the world that August, taking time off work to undergo treatment in the form of a radical prostatectomy.
Nick Owen was diagnosed with prostate cancer in April 2023
Nick, 77, has now looked back on his ordeal and declared himself ‘lucky’ as he hopes to be rid of the disease.
‘It was possibly the worst day of my life,’ he told The Mirror of receiving his diagnosis.
‘But I’m still thriving; I’m still grateful. I’m feeling pretty well and glad to be where I am now.
The former presenter took time off to be with his family as he received treatment and said ‘Hopefully, I’m cancer-free. I’m a lucky boy.’
Nick also shared that, since speaking out about his illness, he has received countless messages from men thanking him for raising awareness and encouraging them to get tested.
At the time of his own diagnosis, Nick did not show any symptoms.
His cancer came to light when a blood test revealed slightly elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) results, with his GP instructing him to see a specialist.
‘Every week, someone is writing to me to say hearing my story made them get a PSA test, they were diagnosed and having the operation,’ he said.
In one instance, a man in Nick’s own village was diagnosed with prostate cancer despite showing zero symptoms. He had a PSA test thanks to the awareness he had raised.
The morning TV star has declared himself a ‘lucky boy’
‘It’s constant,’ Nick added of the personal stories he hears. ‘It’s happened hundreds of times. It’s breathtaking and emotional.’
Despite his own woes, Nick is ‘glad some good has come out of this.’
‘It’s vital that people get tested.’
Nick previously admitted he struggled to tell his family about his cancer, especially his children.
He told The Mirror last year: ‘Telling my children was difficult. I’ve got four children; three are our boys, two in their forties and one in their late thirties, and it was quite emotional.’
Nick feared his sons, Andy, Tim, and Chris, might be at risk, since prostate cancer can run in families.
The award-winning broadcaster now hopes he is ‘cancer-free’
He now fears his three sons are at risk. Noting that his cancer served as a ‘warning’, Nick said he is urging his sons to be ‘extremely on the case’.
‘I’ll work on them to go earlier than 50, to be honest, to have the PSA tests. And the message has to be if you have got any hint of a worry, get someone to look at it.’
As well as GMB, Nick is known for presenting on Good Morning with Anne and Nick, ITV Sport, and the BBC’s regional news show Midlands Today, the latter of which he began hosting in 1997.
He’s received several accolades throughout his career, including the 2006 Baird Medal by the Royal Television Society for lifelong achievement. In 2023, he was also named On-Screen Personality of the Year.
In the King’s Birthday Honours List, 2024, he was made an MBE.
What is a PSA test?
As explained by the NHS, a PSA test is a blood test to help check for prostate conditions such as prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate.
High levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood may be a sign of a prostate condition.
Testing may be recommended if you have symptoms that could indicate prostate cancer, such as:
- peeing more than usual, having a sudden urge to pee or getting up often in the night to pee
- blood in your pee
- problems getting or keeping an erection
Routine PSA testing is not offered on the NHS, but you may be offered one if a doctor thinks you show symptoms that could be prostate cancer.
Men aged 50 or over can ask their GP for a PSA test, even if they do not have symptoms.