Comedian given devastating cancer diagnosis weeks before Edinburgh Fringe shows
Perth-born Fred MacAulay has been a vocal advocate for prostate cancer charities, having lost his own father to the disease.
His brother was also diagnosed eight years ago — and now Fred has been given the news he has cancer.
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The 68-year-old said he was determined to stay positive and hopes his speaking up encourages other men to get checked. Speaking to the Sunday Post, he said he had been getting tested "every couple of years" due to the "prevalence of prostate cancer" in his family.
He was examined in the last few weeks and said further tests confirmed he had cancer. He has not been suffering any symptoms and said he was "waiting to see what the medical team advise is my next step".
MacAulay's father, also called Fred, died in 2002 at the age of 73 from prostate cancer while his older brother Duncan, 72, was diagnosed in 2017. The comedian has been forced to cancel shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and postpone a Scottish tour.
But he is remaining upbeat. He said: "I'm determined not to let a prostate cancer diagnosis get me down. I've managed to stay away from the internet because I'd just scare myself to death.
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"Instead I'm putting my trust in my doctors and comforting myself in the knowledge that I've been diagnosed very early which means I should have the best chance for a good outcome." MacAulay, who admitted to a few "down days" since his test, is best known for presenting his own BBC Scotland radio show and has also presented Children in Need and appeared on shows such as Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week, and QI.
He added: "I hope by speaking up this will encourage other men to get checked out too. It could save lives. My brother and my family and friends are all good about speaking up about prostate cancer, but I know not everyone does.
"It's always a scary thing to talk about, but with all the progress in medicine the best thing to do is be aware, get tested and catch it quickly as it gives you the best chance of beating it." Despite his diagnosis, MacAulay still plans on taking part in Tour De 4 in Glasgow on September 7, alongside pal and fellow cancer sufferer Sir Chris Hoy.
He is also appearing on stage in Glasgow on August 7 at The Stand and will attend Fringe By The Sea in Edinburgh on August 9.
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