Gladiator Giant says prostate cancer blood test could save lives
Gladiators star Jamie Christian has said there are no 'warning signs' for prostate cancer and has urged men to take a blood test that 'could save their life' if diagnosed early.
Known as Giant on the hit BBC show, the bodybuilder has been raising money for Prostate Cancer UK and took part in The Big Golf Race where he played 72 holes of golf and walked more than 26 miles in a single day, completing the challenge in just under 15 hours.
This comes after his uncle, Colin Tomlinson, was diagnosed and later recovered from prostate cancer eight years ago.
Speaking during Men's Health Week, which runs from June 9-15, he said: 'That was just a true example of it can happen to anyone, no matter how fit or healthy you are there are no warning signs for this.
'If people aren't getting the necessary checks, then it could be too late.'
Around one in eight men in the UK will get prostate cancer in their lifetime, according to Prostate Cancer UK.
It occurs when cells in the prostate start to grow in an uncontrolled way with the risk of spreading if not detected early.
One cancer screening is a PSA blood test which checks the level of prostate specific antigens in the blood and, if high, may be a sign of a prostate condition, according to the NHS website.
He said: 'By doing a simple blood test, by going to your GP and having a simple blood test to check your PSA levels, that's like the first step, and it's something really, really easy.
'It could save their life.
'I think men, being men, we're very private individuals especially with certain body parts. So I think the stigma attached to prostate cancer is that men have to go to the doctors and have the prostate exam with the finger up the bum, without being too graphic. I think that puts a lot of people off.
'Having the knowledge of a simple blood test will give you all you need to know that is far, far more beneficial than surely finding out one day that you might have cancer.'
Because prostate cancer often does not have any symptoms, it is important to get checked especially for men over the age of 50, black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer who are at higher risk.
Christian added: 'It's much more powerful to prevent something than to have to cure it, because the cure isn't something that we can have full control over, but prevention-wise, that is in our control to go and get the necessary checks to look after our lifestyle, our diets, our activities, shall we say.
'When you put it like that, a few minutes of your day, why would you not go and do it? Peace of mind.'
The Big Golf Race is the biggest golf fundraising challenge in the UK which encourages participants to choose from the Half Marathon (36 holes and approximately 13 miles of walking), the Marathon (72 holes and over 26 miles), or the Ultra Marathon (100 holes in one day and 35 miles) to raise money and awareness for the charity.
Speaking about the sport Christian added: '(The golf course) is a great place where men can be in a safe space and talk to one another. And these conversations on a golf course are private and respected.
'I think the more people that come on board, the more people that listen, more people that talk, more people that go out and play a game of golf and have those conversations with each other, the better.
'And hopefully, the rates of the actual deaths from prostate cancer will start to fall.'
Christian is best known as Giant on the sports and entertainment show Gladiators which sees professional athletes take on contestants as they try to complete physical challenges.
Prior to being a Gladiator, he was the tallest professional bodybuilder in the world at six feet five and consumed up to 10,000 calories a day. He has since reduced his intake to around 5,000 calories.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Reeves announces £6 billion to provide millions of NHS tests and procedures
Rachel Reeves has announced a £6 billion investment to speed up tests and treatment within the NHS, after setting out huge year-on-year rises in the health service's budget. New scanners, ambulances and urgent treatment centres are among the things which the additional cash will pay for, with the aim of providing up to four million more tests and procedures over the next five years. The announcement comes after the Chancellor put NHS funding at the heart of her spending review on Wednesday, raising its budget in a move worth £29 billion a year. This comes, however, at the expense of other areas of public spending. The new £6 billion funding will help to meet the Government's target of reducing NHS waiting lists in England, the Chancellor claimed. 'Over a decade of underinvestment from the previous government put the NHS on its knees, with people across the country unable to get the care they need. We are investing in Britain's renewal, and we will turn that around,' Ms Reeves said. She added: 'Part of our record investment will deliver four million tests, scans and procedures, so hard-working people can get the healthcare they and their families need. 'There is no strong economy without a strong NHS, and we'll deliver on our Plan for Change to end the hospital backlog, improve living standards and get more money in people's pockets.' The latest spending commitment will help patients get access to diagnostic scans and treatment in places such as shopping centres and high streets, speeding up their diagnoses. The Government hopes this will help to cut NHS waiting lists, meeting Labour's goal of ensuring the health service carries out 92% of routine operations within 18 weeks. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'Since taking office we have been relentless in our drive to cut waiting times for patients, delivering over 3.6 million extra elective care appointments and reducing the overall waiting list by over 200,000. 'The £6 billion investment we are announcing today will generate millions more vital diagnostic tests, scans and procedures for patients across the country.' On Wednesday evening, Ms Reeves said the Government was 'confident' it could meet its pledge to reduce waiting lists after giving the NHS a 3% annual increase in funding at the spending review. Some health leaders are, however, sceptical that the Government will meet its target, despite the funding boost provided at the spending review. Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents all health organisations, warned 'difficult decisions will still need to be made as this additional £29 billion won't be enough to cover the increasing cost of new treatments, with staff pay likely to account for a large proportion of it'. He added: 'So, on its own, this won't guarantee that waiting time targets are met.' Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of the King's Fund charity, said: 'The Chancellor said she wants the public to have an NHS there when they need it. 'It is hard to see how all the things she mentions: faster ambulance times, more GP appointments, and adequate mental health services and more can be met on this settlement alone. 'Particularly when large parts of this additional funding will be absorbed by existing rising costs, such as the higher cost of medicines, which are currently being negotiated, and covering staff pay deals.'
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
NHS to receive £6bn to provide millions more tests and procedures, Reeves confirms
Rachel Reeves has pledged a £6bn investment aimed at accelerating tests and treatments within the NHS, following substantial year-on-year budget increases for the health service. The additional funding will facilitate new scanners, ambulances, and urgent treatment centres, with the goal of delivering up to four million more tests and procedures over the next five years. This announcement follows the chancellor's emphasis on NHS funding in her recent spending review, where she allocated an additional £29bn annually to the NHS budget. However, this increase comes at the expense of other areas of public spending. The £6bn boost is intended to support the Government's objective of reducing NHS waiting lists in England, according to the chancellor. 'Over a decade of underinvestment from the previous government put the NHS on its knees, with people across the country unable to get the care they need. We are investing in Britain's renewal, and we will turn that around,' Ms Reeves said. She added: 'Part of our record investment will deliver four million tests, scans and procedures, so hard-working people can get the healthcare they and their families need. 'There is no strong economy without a strong NHS, and we'll deliver on our Plan for Change to end the hospital backlog, improve living standards and get more money in people's pockets.' The latest spending commitment will help patients get access to diagnostic scans and treatment in places such as shopping centres and high streets, speeding up their diagnoses. The Government hopes this will help to cut NHS waiting lists, meeting Labour's goal of ensuring the health service carries out 92 per cent of routine operations within 18 weeks. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'Since taking office we have been relentless in our drive to cut waiting times for patients, delivering over 3.6 million extra elective care appointments and reducing the overall waiting list by over 200,000. 'The £6bn investment we are announcing today will generate millions more vital diagnostic tests, scans and procedures for patients across the country.' On Wednesday evening, Ms Reeves said the Government was 'confident' it could meet its pledge to reduce waiting lists after giving the NHS a 3 per cent annual increase in funding at the spending review. Some health leaders are, however, sceptical that the Government will meet its target, despite the funding boost provided at the spending review. Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents all health organisations, warned 'difficult decisions will still need to be made as this additional £29bn won't be enough to cover the increasing cost of new treatments, with staff pay likely to account for a large proportion of it'. He added: 'So, on its own, this won't guarantee that waiting time targets are met.' Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of the King's Fund charity, said: 'The chancellor said she wants the public to have an NHS there when they need it. 'It is hard to see how all the things she mentions: faster ambulance times, more GP appointments, and adequate mental health services and more can be met on this settlement alone. 'Particularly when large parts of this additional funding will be absorbed by existing rising costs, such as the higher cost of medicines, which are currently being negotiated, and covering staff pay deals.'
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
UK Pharmaceutical industry at risk from government's 'sky-high' rebates system
The UK's status as a leader in medical research is at risk from 'sky-high and unpredictable' repayments pharmaceutical firms hand the Government, says an industry boss. Richard Torbett, chief executive of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, said the rebate system – where firms repay money they make through selling medicines to the NHS – was sending 'a terrible message to international investors'. Rachel Reeves promised to support 'the UK's strengths in life sciences' and 'ensure patients get rapid access to the most clinically and cost-effective new technologies'. The Treasury plans to invest up to £520million in drug manufacturing in the next five years. Another £600million is earmarked for a health data research service to accelerate the discovery of new medicines. But Torbett said more was needed. 'Over the past decade, accounting for inflation, the NHS budget has grown by a third in real terms, while investment in the most rigorously cost-benefit-tested part of health spending – investment in the medicines needed to treat people – has fallen from around 11 per cent to 9 per cent of the health budget,' he added. And he attacked plans to increase what drug companies must repay from drug sales to 31.3 per cent, from 15.5 per cent. 'The sky-high and unpredictable payment rates send a terrible message to international investors when the UK is trying to position life sciences research and development as an engine for health and growth. For the sake of patients, the NHS and the economy, we need a commitment to bring these unsustainable rates down.'
