Coleen Nolan has candidly opened up on her family's well-being following the death of her sister. The Loose Women star, 60, revealed the family had had good news recently regarding the health of her brother.
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Writing exclusively in her weekly newsletter for the Mirror, Coleen revealed the happy news that Brian has been given the all-clear.
She explained how her big brother received the good news following successful surgery on his prostate cancer. She gushed he "rocks" as she beamed with pride. "I’m so proud of him because, since being diagnosed, he’s done so much to raise awareness of the condition," she said.
Brian had earlier appeared alongside his sister on her ITV lunchtime chat show and spoke of his experience. He was hoping in doing so, he might be able to encourage men who are also worried to ask their GP for a simple PSA blood test. The test is used to assess your risk for the disease.
According to the NHS, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. However, there is yet to be a nationwide screening programme like there is for breast and cervical cancer. This is something Brian has been campaigning for.
Statistics show that one in eight men in England will get prostate cancer, with numbers showing one in four Black men will. In England, more than 12,000 people die each year from prostate cancer.
However, when it is diagnosed at its earliest stage, the NHS says people with prostate cancer will survive their disease for five years or more.
Coleen explained how Brian initially went to his doctor because he was having to go to the loo a lot more. These symptoms were affecting his quality of life and his sleep, his sister said.
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"He suspected he might have a bladder issue or that maybe he’d be told it was just his age catching up with him," Coleen confessed. "Understandably, cancer is a scary thought for people and there’s a lot of fear around getting tested but, as Brian proves, if prostate cancer is caught early enough, there’s a very high chance of a cure."
Coleen revealed Brian celebrated turning 70 in June and following early detection of the disease, he now has "so much to look forward to now". This includes spending precious time with his grandson.
The former singer went on to tell her fans to "listen to your body and get checked out". She went on in an emotional message to her brother: "And, to Brian, I’m in awe of you and so impressed that you can go on live telly and talk so calmly and eloquently about this important subject."
