Rock legend Rod Stewart has come out as a survivor of prostate cancer – after secretly battling the disease since 2016.
Revealing he is now officially in remission, the 74-year-old star says he was diagnosed in February 2016 during a routine check up. He is now encouraging men over the age of 50, or who have a family history of the disease, to speak to their GP about getting screened.
WATCH: Penny Lancaster says she will be ‘just fine’ without Rod Stewart
Wife Penny Lancaster first broached the subject by announcing to a crowd at a prostate cancer charity event, ‘Tonight would be a nice night to come out of the closet.’
Added Rod: ‘No, it’s not what you think. Two years ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
‘No one knows this, but I thought this was about time I told everybody. I’m in the clear, now, simply because I caught it early. I have so many tests.’
Speaking to his male fans, Rod added, ‘Guys, you’ve got to really go to the doctor.’
He then got a laugh by adding, ‘Finger up the bum, no harm done.’
Through the three year battle with the condition, Rod continued to work, while keeping his situation private.
‘If you’re positive, and you work through it and you keep a smile on your face… I’ve worked for two years and I’ve just been happy, and the good Lord looked after me.’
Prostate cancer has a very high cure rate if caught early, so men aged 50 to 70 are encouraged to get regularly screened.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men, with approximately 3,500 men dying every year.
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