Paul Burrell has recalled the heartbreaking moment he was wrapping Christmas presents and wondered if he'd do that ever again as he shared his cancer diagnosis for the first time. The former royal butler shared his diagnosis on ITV's Lorraine on Monday (January 30) in which he confirmed he found out last year.
Paul, who said he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer last summer, also opened up about the moment he told his sons, Alexander and Nicholas, and the emotional moment between them. Introducing him on the ITV show today, host Lorraine Kelly said that Princess Diana's former butler would be speaking about the "life-changing" news that he had been diagnosed with cancer.
"Paul Burrell will be here with life-changing news," she said. "He'll be sharing his cancer news for the first time in the hope that he'll help others." Then, appearing live in the studio, Paul said he was "so tired" as he opened up about finding out he had cancer and the treatment he is having.
"I'm on hormone therapy at the moment and it's robbing me of my testosterone," the 64-year-old told Lorraine. "So my beard isn't growing as it should and I'm tired and I'm emotional and I get hot flushes." When Lorraine pointed out that it was like the 'male menopause', Paul replied: "It's kind of like that with thre treatment you're getting and the side effects."
Explaining how he had discovered his diagnosis, Paul said that he had needed to go for a medical check last year and as part of their duty of care he had a "full MOT". This included a PSA test - a blood test that helps detect prostate cancer - after which his GP suggested that his levels were "fairly unusual".
He then underwent an MRI scan which showed a shadow over his prostate. "I'm on an emotional educational rollercoaster and not knowing where I'm going to be," an emotional Paul said. "I was wrapping Christmas presents, wondering 'will I be here next Christmas?'"
Paul travelled to America to tell his two sons, Alex and Nick who her shared with his ex-wife, Maria Cosgrove. Speaking of the moment he gave them the news, he said: "I told my boys and they said 'Dad, we need to spend more time with you'."
Paul is now campaigning for other men to have their prostate checked. "There are thousands of men out there like me who have no symptoms and don't realise what's happening and it could be too late," he said. "My message is: I was lucky. I was really lucky that they caught it. [...] Men out there can go to the doctors and ask for a PSA test."
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