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Scots comedian Fred MacAulay has revealed he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The 68-year-old stand-up comic said he ‘took the hint’ and began getting regular tests after his father and brother were both diagnosed with the disease.
But despite not having any symptoms, doctors recently told him the devastating news that he also has it.
His diagnosis comes just months after six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy revealed his prostate cancer was terminal, having also had ‘zero symptoms’.
The comedian and radio presenter will now join Sir Chris’s charity cycle in September to raise awareness, as he vowed not to let the illness stand in his way.
He said: ‘I’m determined not to let a prostate cancer diagnosis get me down. I’ve even managed to stay away from the internet because I’d just scare myself to death.
‘Instead, I’m putting my trust in my doctors, and comforting myself in the knowledge that I’ve been diagnosed very early which means I should have the best chance for a good outcome.’
And the father-of-three urged other men to ‘get checked out’ after admitting it was not until his father and older brother were diagnosed he ‘actively decided I’d better do something to explore whether I was also at risk’.
Mr MacAulay’s father, also Fred, died at the age of 73 in 2002 after years of battling prostate cancer and mesothelioma.
The comedian said: ‘It was the mesothelioma which got Dad in the end, he worked on the railways and was exposed to asbestos and all kinds of nasty stuff before he became a policeman until he retired.
‘But when my brother Duncan, who is 72 now, was diagnosed with prostate cancer eight years ago, I thought it was about time I took the hint and got checked out.
‘When it became clear I’m more at risk because of the prevalence of prostate cancer in my family, I’ve been getting tested every couple of years.’
It was only after his last tests a few weeks ago that doctors contacted him to advise him that further action was needed.
He told the Sunday Post: ‘Although I’ve not had any symptoms, the final tests came back positive just a few days ago and I am waiting to see what the medical team advise is my next step.’
Mr MacAulay has been forced to cancel his Edinburgh Fringe shows and tour, but he still plans to join Sir Chris at the Tour De 4 in Glasgow, for the 56-mile bike ride on September 7 to raise awareness for Prostate Cancer UK at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.
He said: ‘I hope by speaking up this will encourage other men to get checked out too. It could save their lives.
‘It’s always been a scary thing to talk about, but with all the progress in medicine the best thing to do is be aware, get tested and catch it quickly as it gives you the best possible chance of beating it.’
He hailed Sir Chris, who has dedicated his time to raising awareness of the disease, as ‘such an inspirational figure in the fight against prostate cancer’ and described him as ‘a true hero.’
The cycling great announced last year that he was given between two and four years to live after being told his cancer had spread to his bones.
He sparked a massive campaign to encourage men to get checked for the condition, partnering with the charity Prostate Cancer UK to provide an online risk-checker.
Since then, more than 180,000 men have used it and following tests more than 1,000 have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and are receiving treatment.
