British actor, Colin McFarlane has revealed that he has been diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer. The 61-year-old actor, best known for his role in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy, opened up about his diagnosis after undergoing testing in December.
Colin expressed his gratitude for regularly getting checked for the disease over the past eight years, which enabled doctors to detect it at an early stage. He highlighted the risk faced by one in four Black men, noting that prostate cancer claims the lives of 12,000 men annually. Additionally, men with a family history of the disease are two-and-a-half times more likely to develop prostate cancer.
The actor, who also stars in the BBC series Not Going Out, encouraged his two brothers to undergo testing as well. Sadly, one of them has also been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Reflecting on his father’s experience, Colin shared how his dad had chosen not to inform him and his brothers about his benign condition and operation in 1999, in an effort to prevent them from worrying. Colin stressed the importance of being aware of the genetic link and the need for open communication within families.
Colin’s doctors informed him that his cancer is classified as T1, indicating the earliest stage with a very low risk. As a result, he currently does not require any treatment. Regular blood tests, specifically the prostate-specific antigen test, will be conducted every three months, along with an annual MRI.
The actor emphasized the significance of discussing prostate cancer openly and not waiting for symptoms, as early detection greatly improves the chances of successful treatment and a cure.
Colin resides in Lincoln and London with his wife Kate and their son Josh.
