Picture via YouTube
Last month, Stephen Fry underwent an operation to stop the spread of his prostate cancer.
He had gone in to the get the flu jab, and when his GP suggested he have a full check-up instead the QI presenter agreed. The 60-year-old's doctor was concerned about his PSA levels, or prostate-specific antigen levels, which indicate if there are tumours present in the prostate.
The Jeeves and Wooster actor eventually had an MRI done, which he thought was 'taking a bit of a sledgehammer to a peanut', but ended up showing that he had prostate cancer.
On the Gleason grading system, which categorises the aggressiveness of prostate cancer, Stephen had a Gleason Score of 8, which is high enough to require treatment. Stephen decided to have his prostate removed instead of undergoing radiotherapy, and he had 11 lymph nodes removed as well.
Below is the video where he discusses his cancer journey. He touches on the transrectal biopsy that diagnoses this type of cancer, so those who are squeamish may want to skip that!
Stephen had the operation in the first week of January, which showed he actually had a Gleason Score of 9 - 'rather an aggressive little bugger', he noted in the video.
"As far as we know, it’s all been got," Stephen said of his cancer, "I won’t know for sure until my PSA levels are checked. They should be zero now because I have no prostate. But if there is anything left on the bed of the prostate, then I’ll need radiotherapy and the whole damn process will start again."
For now, though, he is recovering, and he thanked his family and 'divine and darling husband' who he said were 'just marvellous'.
The comedian called on other 'men of a certain age' to have their PSA levels checked, observing that you never think you'll be the person to have cancer.
"Cancer you know, in the end, that's a word that just rings in your head. Cancer, I've got cancer," the activist mused.
"I know it's an old cliche, but you don't think it's going to happen to you. Cancer is something that happens to other people."
Stephen said that checking these PSA levels is important because he 'generally felt my life was saved by this early intervention'.
"For the moment I am fit and well and happy," the Blackadder actor assured his fans.
The presenter's message was heartfelt and emotional at the end, as he emphasised just how grateful he feels to be alive.
"Here’s hoping I get another few years left on this planet. Cause I enjoy life. That’s a marvellous thing to be able to say. And I really hope it doesn’t go away," Stephen concluded.
We wish him a speedy recovery.
