Giles Coren, the well-known restaurant critic for The Times, has revealed he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The 55-year-old disclosed this surprising news on Friday, having learned of the diagnosis just two days prior, at 'bang on 9.30am' on Wednesday.
Coren attributed his decision to get tested for prostate cancer to the awareness raised by celebrities like Stephen Fry and the late Bill Turnbull, both of whom have openly shared their struggles with the disease. He reported initially receiving a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test result of four, which many doctors view as the threshold for requiring additional testing.
Despite this alarming indicator, Coren's doctor described prostate cancer as a 'slow cancer' which 'all men get' if they live long enough. This prompted Coren to undergo additional testing, including an MRI scan, which returned inconclusive results. Reluctant to proceed initially, he later acquiesced to having a biopsy at the Royal Free Hospital after his PSA levels increased to six and then seven.
After providing 21 samples for the biopsy, doctors discovered less than one millimetre of cancer present in just three of the samples. While described as having a malign tumour, Coren was informed treatment was not necessary at this time. Instead, his condition will be monitored for signs of growth.
Reflecting on his testing process, Coren noted, "I had only asked for the test because such good work has been done lately to raise awareness, by people like Stephen Fry and Bill Turnbull – and now here I was with a score of four, where higher than 2.5 is considered abnormal and facing imminent death." His doctor quickly reassured him: "It’s not imminent death. All men get it, if they live long enough. It’s a slow cancer. Most men die with it, not of it.”
Prostate cancer is currently the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men, surpassing breast cancer for the first time, as reported by Prostate Cancer UK. More than 55,000 cases were documented last year alone, signaling a 25% increase over the past five years. The charity states the disease accounts for approximately 28% of all cancer cases among men and approximately 14% of all cancer cases overall. Most prevalent among men aged 75 to 79, about one third of all cases are diagnosed within this age range.
Coren has been the restaurant critic for The Times since 2002 and is recognized for his engaging writing style which often blends humor and insightful commentary. He has earned acclaim for his work, including being named Food and Drink Writer of the Year at the British Press Awards back in 2005.
Interestingly, Coren's diagnosis follows recent public discussions surrounding prostate cancer, particularly after Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy shared his own terminal prostate cancer diagnosis late last year. Coren's case serves as yet another reminder of the importance of testing and awareness for this frequently stigmatized disease.
Prostate Cancer UK indicates about one in eight men will face prostate cancer during their lifetime. The organization emphasizes increased risk for men over 50, with the likelihood amplifying for black men and those with family history of the condition.
For men experiencing issues surrounding prostate health, organizations such as Macmillan Cancer Support and Prostate Cancer UK offer information and assistance, providing much-needed resources and support to navigate the disease. Coren's openness about his situation may inspire others to take the necessary steps toward getting tested.