Sleep’s wake-up call over cancer
DANCER Wayne Sleep is calling on all men to get an annual blood test for prostate cancer after a checkup saved his life.
The Royal Ballet legend, who was diagnosed last June, believes blokes are “stupid” not to talk about their health.
Wayne said: “Men are reluctant to talk about what’s going on downstairs.
“People need to keep up with modern science and have regular tests. It’s the difference between life and death.”
Wayne, 67, will find out in July if he is cancer free after having radioactive seeds implanted in his prostate – a small gland in the male reproductive system. Initial results show it has been successful.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men – 10,000 die from it every year.
GPs can suggest tests to over- 50s. But charity Prostate Cancer UK says they should be an option for men in their 40s.
And Wayne thinks men need to be proactive. “If you’re not eligible for an NHS test, then pay for it,” he said. “What’s £150 for an annual check on your health?” His own test showed his levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) – a protein produced by the prostate gland – had risen. He’d had similar raised levels in 2008 but a biopsy showed nothing amiss and they fell again. And like many y men, , he thoughtg “getting up to urinate at night and less sexual function” were age related. So he was stunned to learn he had cancer. He was given the option of prostate removal, daily radiotherapy for six weeks or brachytherapy, with radioactive seeds implanted to destroy cancer cells. He said he tried “not to alarm” long-term partner Jose Bergera about his illness.
“Jose came into my room at the Princess Grace Hospital in London dressed in a plastic apron, rubber gloves and a hat.
“I asked him ‘Have you just been to a fetish party?’ He said ‘No, have you seen outside your door? door?’ A sign said: Do Not Enter: Radi Radioactive. Then in comes the Geig Geiger counter.
“I actually was radioactive. I was told not to have dogs or babie babies on my lap for a month or so. Th The seeds eventually dissolve and y you can pass them through your urine.”
Wa Wayne had erectile dysfunction for s six months – a temporary effec effect of the procedure.
He said: “Sex is great but if it’s a mat matter of living and dying, well...
“An “And I was also told that I could have fertility problems but that didn’ didn’t bother me at all, of course.”
De Determined not to let cancer take over his life, Wayne flew to Indi India two weeks after last Augu August’s op to film The Real Mari Marigold Hotel, a show where older celebrities explore whether they could have a better retire retirement in India.
Am Amazingly, Wayne kept his illnes illness a secret from BBC2 bosses. The f first they knew was when he spille spilled the beans on screen.
He said: “My public persona is flamb flamboyant but in my private life I ten tend to be very discreet. I just didn’ didn’t want a big fuss. Since then, I’ve r realised I can use what happene pened to me to warn other men. “Y “You’ve a 95 per cent chance of s survival if you catch prostate c cancer earlier. Get tested.”
prostatecanceruk.org