One year on from the passing of the much Wycombe Wanderers fan and popular broadcaster Bill Turnbull, Prostate Cancer UK has revealed there has been a rise in referrals.
The charity confirmed on Thursday, August 31, exactly one year on from the 66-year-old’s passing, that analysis of NHS data shows a record 25,000 patients were referred for suspected urological cancer in England in November 2022 – in which prostate cancer makes up the vast majority.
Bill succumbed to the illness nearly five years after being diagnosed.
“Don’t wait like I did - check your risk.”
— Prostate Cancer UK (@ProstateUK) August 31, 2023
One year on from his passing, Bill Turnbull's legacy lives on in the thousands of men he inspired to check their risk and get an early diagnosis.
Let’s honour Bill’s legacy together. Let’s #BroadcastItLikeBill: https://t.co/xlEq3rda0J pic.twitter.com/yO3pZ7SxYl
READ MORE: Bill Turnbull's daughter to run the London Marathon in her father's memory
Laura Kerby, chief executive at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “This year, in honour of Bill’s incredible legacy, we’re asking people to ‘Broadcast it like Bill’ and raise awareness of the disease – encouraging as many men as possible to take our 30-second risk checker to learn if they’re at risk, and if so, what they can do about it.”
Comedian and former QI host Stephen Fry also revealed his diagnosis around the same time as Turnbull said he was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer in 2018.
This sparked what has been described as the “Turnbull/Fry effect” – a marked increase in referrals.
Fry has narrated a video for the campaign which urges people to share the charity’s 30-second online risk checker.
NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer, Professor Peter Johnson, said: “It can feel overwhelming confronting worrying signs and symptoms, but talking about cancer can save lives – it is so important that anyone who has concerns follows the lead of people like Bill Turnbull, Stephen Fry and Rod Stewart and get checked without delay if they are worried.”
On the anniversary of broadcasting legend and @wwfcofficial fan Bill Turnbull's passing, @ProstateUK are asking the nation to #BroadcastItLikeBill and share their 30-second online risk checker https://t.co/0NRKbSbs1L https://t.co/OATXjA5N0K
— Wycombe Sound (@WycombeSound) August 31, 2023
READ MORE: 'Bill did many great things' - Jeff Stelling to walk from Wembley Stadium to Wycombe
Additionally, in September this year, hundreds of supporters of the charity and football fans will join legendary sports broadcaster Jeff Stelling at Wembley Stadium, as they will walk from the home of English football to Adams Park in honour of the late presenter.
It will be an honour to march from Wembley to Wycombe in September in Honour of Bill. One of the best. Gone much too soon. https://t.co/PJbKenMRWc
— Jeff Stelling (@JeffStelling) August 31, 2023
Bill was in the press area when Wycombe secured promotion to the Championship in July 2020, with his famous ‘Chairboys, barmy army’ chant being heard through the microphones inside the empty arena due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The phrase has been immortalised at Adams Park with the ex-BBC Breakfast host having the stadium’s gantry named after him.
Wycombe Wanderers fans, and new friends, Alan Cecil and Peter Radford, inspired by their own respective prostate cancer experiences and by the late, great Bill Turnbull, will be ready for Jeff’s March this September. 🙌#WWFC #JeffsMarch
— Prostate Cancer UK (@ProstateUK) August 26, 2023
Additionally, Wycombe fans Alan Cecil and Peter Radford were also inspired by their own prostate cancer experiences and Turnbull to take on a sponsored walk.
Mr Cecil, 69, said: “Seeing Bill speak out about his diagnosis, gave me the confidence to do the same.
“I realised there was no shame or stigma attached and by me raising awareness of the need for early testing, other men could hopefully be as lucky as me.”
Turnbull was a fan of Wycombe Wanderers and in his memory, the Jeff Stelling’s Football March will take place from Wembley to Wycombe, a distance of 26.2 miles, in September.
See prostatecanceruk.org/riskcheck for more information.
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