Sir Rod: I kept my cancer battle secret and now I’m cured
SIR ROD STEWART fought prostate cancer for almost three years, he has revealed.
The singer, 74, has urged men to get themselves checked regularly, warning: “I’m in the clear now simply because I caught it early.”
He says he confronted the disease “with a smile” and is thankful that “the good Lord looked after me”.
Sir Rod was diagnosed in February 2016 during a routine check.
It was understood he had benign prostatic hyperplasia – an enlarged prostate – and had not wanted to “make a fuss”.
Now, after quietly undergoing treatment, he has been told his cancer is in remission.
He decided speak at a fundraising ball for the Prostate Project and European Tour Foundation at the Wentworth Club, Surrey, at the weekend.
Shock
Performing with former Faces bandmates Kenney Jones and Ronnie Wood, Sir Rod cracked a joke before opening up.
He said he had warned his wife Penny Lancaster, 48, that he would use the event to “come out” and Loose Women star Penny had replied: “… of the closet!”
He said: “Two years ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.”
Ronnie, who has fought lung cancer, then put his hand on Sir Rod’s shoulder as an audience of 500 people reacted in shock.
“No one knows this but thought this was about time told everybody.
“I’m in the clear, now, simply because I caught it early. Guys, you’ve got to, really, go to the doctor.”
And he added, with candour: “Finger up the bum, no harm done!”
Father-of-eight Sir Rod said he maintained a positive outlook throughout: “I’ve worked for two years and I’ve just been happy, and the good Lord looked after me.”
He shared a hug with Ronnie who said: “Somebody up there likes us, Rod.”
Proving his health hasn’t impacted his energy, Sir Rod then launched into an enthusiastic rendition of Maggie May.
The Prostate Project president Tim Sharp said Sir Rod could help save more lives by encouraging I men to have checks.
I He said: “Experience has shown what a big difference celebrities can make when they ‘come out’ about their cancer.” The charity urges men aged 50 to 70 to be tested.
Prostate cancer kills one man every 45 minutes.
Royal Surrey County Hospital claims 90 per cent of early diagnoses result in a cure.
In 2000 Sir Rod underwent emergency throat surgery to remove a growth.
Frank
He feared he would never sing again, but regained his distinctive vocals just nine months later.
During Saturday’s charity ball one guest bid £27,000 for a day playing golf with BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker. The event is understood to have raised £270,000.
Guests heaped praise on Sir Rod for his frank admission.
TV newsman Mark Austin described him as a “top man”.