Duran Duran’s original guitarist Andy Taylor has been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer.
The announcement was made while the successful band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which Taylor was unable to attend.
Addressing his absence, the band read a letter that said that Taylor had been diagnosed with prostate cancer four years ago.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in men in the UK.
According to Cancer Research UK, the disease accounts for 14% of all cancer deaths in men.
There is an early warning symptom of the disease experienced at night.
“Many families have experienced the slow burn of this disease and of course we are no different; so, I speak from the perspective of a family man but with profound humility to the band, the greatest fans a group could have and this exceptional accolade,” Taylor wrote in the letter.
He added: “Recently I was doing OK after some very sophisticated life-extending treatment, that was until a week or so ago when I suffered a setback, and despite the exceptional efforts of my team, I had to be honest in that both physically and mentally, I would be pushing my boundaries."
Taylor added that he was “truly sorry and massively disappointed” he could not attend the ceremony and that he was “very proud of these four brothers” and “overjoyed” they were receiving such an impressive accolade for their efforts to music.
Early warning symptoms of prostate cancer greatly affect a man’s urine habits.
Needing to urinate more often, particularly in the evening, is a big indication of one’s risk and should not be ignored.
This occurs because the cancer begins to grow, and when it is large enough it begins to put pressure on the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder out of the penis.
“Needing to pee more frequently, often during the night” and having a strong need “to rush to the toilet” are pivotal signs of the disease, says the NHS.
Other symptoms of prostate cancer
Signs of the disease include:
- Difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy)
- Straining or taking a long time while peeing
- Weak flow
- Feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Pain in the back, hips, thighs, shoulders, or other bones
- Blood in urine or blood in semen.
The cause of prostate cancer remains unknown, but is largely dependent if you have a family history with the disease.
If the cancer is at an early stage and not causing symptoms, you may not need any treatment.
Spotting the early signs and seeking help immediately is vital.
For those worried about possible symptoms or any unusual changes in urination habits, speak to your doctor and check your PSA levels.
“The blood test, called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, measures the level of PSA and may help detect early prostate cancer,” explains the NHS.
“If you are over 50, you can ask a GP for a PSA test.”
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