Les Ferdinand’s grandfather died of prostate cancer, while the devastating disease also hit his father and several uncles.
Fortunately they survived – but the football legend is determined to raise awareness of the risks of the illness. Les, who starred for Newcastle United and scored 50 goals in just 86 games for the Black and Whites in the 1990s, has spoken out to support a partnership between life-saving charity Prostate Cancer UK and the MOBO Awards.
Ahead of this year’s edition of the awards, he has shared his own family story. The charity’s partnership between the acclaimed awards which honour music of black origin comes as statistics suggest one in four black men will get the disease. That’s double the risk of other groups.
For Les, raising awareness of that shocking fact is vital – and it’s a cause that is close to home. He said: “Prostate cancer is quite prevalent in my family, so I have to know about it and I’m trying to raise awareness about it because there’s a lack of knowledge around it especially in the black communities which are more affected than others,” said Les.
“I’ve been in a privileged position as a footballer, coach, and director of football, but I’m also a son and a father and want to be a role model outside the beautiful game. It’s up to people like myself to change that philosophy. If men want to be macho, they shouldn’t walk away from problems; they should face it head on.
(Image: Prostate Cancer UK)
“My Dad had prostate cancer, but had a successful operation. My grandad died with prostate cancer. I’ve had uncles who have been diagnosed and they’re all OK because they found it earlier, and the intervention was made at an appropriate time.”
He added: “There’s still a bit of a stigma around it for some black men; the issue is the procedure that some men think they have to go through to test for prostate cancer. They think you need an intrusive procedure, when in fact the PSA blood test is a quick and simple test you get free from your GP, and is the best first step to checking for signs of prostate cancer.
“It’s been easy for me to get a PSA test but that is because I am informed. I know my increased risk because of my family link. It’s one of my yearly things. I have a to-do list of things and that is one of the things that needs to be done
“I book my PSA test because I want to give myself the best chance of avoiding this disease. It is so prevalent but thankfully it is a conversation I am hearing more and more so awareness is increasing.”
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Les said he felt it was “ludicrous” that GPs weren’t advised to talk to Black men about their prostate cancer risks. He added; “This needs to change. If a Black guy who is over 45 walks into a doctor’s, then he’s at higher risk and the doctor needs to be able to say have you thought prostate cancer and having a PSA blood test to check for any signs.”
He said NHS guidelines needed to change to save lives. Les said the partnership was a great idea though. He added: “This is a great partnership and its great that its happening in a brilliant city very close to my heart, Newcastle.”
He added: “Linking the MOBOs and Prostate Cancer UK together to spread that awareness and put Black men’s risk centre stage is really clever, and hopefully it’s a great night.”
Keith Morgan, associate director of black health equity at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Every man has the right to the best care and treatment for prostate cancer. “We know that Black men are at a higher risk of getting prostate cancer, but recently released data from the National Prostate Cancer Audit shows that Black men are also more likely to be diagnosed with late stage prostate cancer.”
He echoed Les’s call for revised prostate cancer guidelines and said: “We need this to change, and fast, which is why we’re calling on the Government to overhaul these outdated NHS guidelines and allow GPs to start conversations about the option of PSA testing with men at the highest risk of prostate cancer across the country.
“But we also don’t need to wait for this vital change to lookout for our own health today. The earlier you find prostate cancer, the easier it is to treat. So, it’s about time you checked your risk online. Join over 3 million men who’ve checked their risk with us by searching “check my risk” or visit the Prostate Cancer UK website.”
The MOBOs take place at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena this coming week – with “rap royalty” Krept and Konan among the acts performing.
To use the prostate cancer risk checker – which takes just moments – click here.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/newcastle-united-legend-speaks-out-31011184
