So, we've been reporting this morning
that a coalition of more than 60
charities are calling for government
action on earlier cancer diagnosis.
Well, former Sky News presenter Derma
Mahan has said he fell through the gaps
with his own prostate cancer diagnosis.
And Dermat is planning to join Sir Chris
Hoy uh on a charity bike ride to raise
money for cancer charities uh in a few
weeks time, I think it is.
>> Yes. Don't reply.
>> Sorry. Well, I am going to ask you about
it later, I'm afraid. Dur. really lovely
to have you here. Um, you announced, uh,
just earlier this summer that you've
been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate
cancer. So, first of all, tell us how
you're doing.
>> Well, I'm doing pretty good and, uh,
thanks very much for having me back,
Anna. Nice to be here. Um, yeah, uh, I
finished my chemotherapy kind of early
July, so I've been recovering since. And
we just waiting to see how how it's
gone. But, yeah, feeling pretty good.
>> How was the chemo?
>> I wouldn't recommend it, put it put it
that way. I mean it's it's as anyone you
know who's who's gone through it or or
going through it knows I mean people
react differently differently to it um
it's it's it's hard but the one thing is
you feel that you are you know actively
doing something in the hands of
wonderful medical professionals who know
what they're doing and you you know
you're kicking back there's kind of bit
of a psychological gap now that it's
stopped you think well oh what do I do
now but I'm in the waiting and seeing
phase waiting to see how how much it's
achieved hopefully
Yes, exactly. Well, well, good luck with
with all of that. Um, so today 60 cancer
charities have come together. A huge
number of our top cancer charities are
coming together to call on the
government to bring in a series of
measures to to improve cancer care in
this country as the government lays out
prepares to lay out his plans later this
year. And one of the issues they're
highlighting is improving screening
programs. So tell us a bit about your
own experience. How did did you find out
your diagnosis? I mean that's
particularly pertinent when it comes to
prostate cancer because there is no
formal screening program i.e. proactive
on the behalf of the the NHS when it
when it comes to men wanting to be
screened. You know they do have a right
to be screened but they actually have to
ask for it rather than be be offered it
as so often happens with with other
cancers. Um so in my own case um yeah I
I fell through those through those gaps.
I mean I foolishly and would you know
sat in your position for many many years
speaking to people about this very issue
and talking about men particularly over
the age of 50 men in high-risisk groups
who may have a history of it uh in their
family to go and ask for the screening
and I kept thinking you know once I got
over that age yeah I I'll go and do that
hearing but I'm fine the other the other
telltale sign is of course symptoms and
I think most people know what they are
you know frequent urination in the
evening is a particular time at
nighttime. Um, but I didn't have any of
that. So, I kept thinking, okay, well,
you know, I get round to it. Life
intervenes, jobs, children, holiday, all
kinds of things. And I never did. So,
um, you know, what happened was, um, at
the end of last year, I fell very ill on
a on a foreign holiday and, uh, you
know, kind of rushed back here to get
treated by the by a wonderful health
service and, uh, and was diagnosed real
bulk from the blue. So what would you
say to the government then? Would you
say that instead of people over 50
having to proactively go and ask for a
blood test that they should
automatically be screened?
>> Yeah, I mean I think two things. I think
there should be and I'm aware of the the
resourcing issue here when it comes to
to prostate cancer. It's called a PSA
test. It can be inaccurate. It can lead
to overt treatment. That's the
assessment that's been made at the
moment that uh you know most men who who
age have an enlarged prostate of some
kind. in many many cases it is not going
to be a threat to their lives. Something
else, you know, in the end may probably
get them. So, I understand that. But the
fact is is that the tests are getting
more accurate. You know, I'm not a
professional here. I only know from from
my end of it, but um they're getting
they are getting more accurate. They
might cost a little bit more money, but
think of the money you save um of
treating people who get to my stage. You
know, there's an awful lot of things
that have been thrown at me that that
are costing a lot of money. if I'd been
caught as it you know as in so many
other cancers if you're diagnosed much
much earlier then of course you save
money much further down the line
>> and in the absence of a screening
program your advice to to men of a
certain age
>> is demand it go and demand it you know
particularly in those categories over 50
yes you know get round to it but get
round to it pretty soon you know once
you cross that milestone go and demand
it your GP will eventually give you give
you
If there's a history of prostate cancer
in your family, definitely get it. 4550,
go for it.
>> Now, so Chris Hoy um went through the
same thing as you. He's got had the same
diagnosis. Stage four prostate cancer. I
mean, I say it's Chris Hoy like everyone
knows him. I think they do at multi
medal winning six goals. I don't know
how many silvers as well. Olympic girls.
Yeah.
>> Couple of world championships thrown in
there as well. He got in contact with
you, didn't he? When you announced your
>> He did. I don't you know in the in the
confusion they may asma of you know the
shock of the diagnosis um at some point
a a call came in from sir Chris who I'd
met you know I'd interviewed him a few
times other side of the desk um through
through cycling and uh and uh team GB
and and all that success and the phone
rang and it went hi it's Chris here and
I thought nice Scottish accent I don't
know a Scottish Chris I went bloody hell
Chris you know lovely to talk to you he
talked me through it he's been we've
been in regular contact Um and he's kind
of a year further down the track in
terms of the the treatment program.
We're both on a similar one and and he
talked me through it. He's written a
wonderful book as as well which um you
know for anyone in this position is well
worth a read.
>> Yeah. Has that made a real difference
just sort of yeah support makes a hu
yeah shared experience you know there
are there are groups that get together
they're helpful as well. Um but shared
experience and for the whole family as
well. You know this is the whole point
um that the charities are pointing out
that everyone in this country is in
actual fact affected by cancer. One in
two will get get it in some form and of
course then the effect on the families
is is huge as well.
>> Of course it is. And he is incredibly
active. He's incredibly positive, isn't
he? He's extraordinary and he's
organizing a cycle ride that um he's
convinced you to take part in.
>> Yeah. tell us about I mean the problem
is with you know talking to someone like
Chris you know I' as you know I've
ridden a bicycle to commute for for many
a year but you know he's Chris Hoy in
his own category come along and do this
ride with me I went yeah yeah Chris of
course I will and then of course it's
two weeks away and I'm thinking oh
>> criy
I'm in the same group I'm in the same
group as Chris I'm thinking you know
what maybe I'll sprint because I'm sure
he won't for the first 100 meters and I
might be in the lead for 100 meters
Um it's 90 km. There are different
routes and it's for anyone affected by
stage four cancer, any cancer or indeed
cancers. You don't have to be a
sufferer. It's the families as well.
It's to raise huge amounts of money for,
you know, some wonderful charities. I
mean, I'm riding for prostate cancer UK.
Um but yeah, and it's in two weeks time.
What can I say? Give me some money, you
know.
>> Yeah. Is it going well? Are you being
well supported, do you think? Um, yeah,
I've got a I've got a fundraising page
which I know you're going to going to
put up there. So, you know, we we are
hoping to raise fund, but it's not about
that. I think it's more about the
support and getting together. It's a
wonderful idea. The name's fantastic,
isn't it? And, you know, hats off to
Chris Hoy.
>> How's the training going then?
>> Yeah, don't even ask.
I've got a car here. I should have come
a bike
>> for a little bit of practice. Um,
Dermat, so lovely to have you here and
uh, good luck with the cycle ride and
um, hope you raise lots of money for
good causes. It it sounds like a very
good um, good thing to do. Lovely to see
you. Thank you.