Television presenter Julia Bradbury joined more than 200 guests
last night for a dinner to mark the end of Prostate Cancer
Awareness Month. Julia was joined at the event, held by The
Prostate Cancer Charity, by a number of other high profile
supporters, including guest speaker and former England rugby
player, Brian Moore, Antiques Roadshow expert Eric Knowles,
Eastenders actor, Rudolph Walker and former England cricketer, Tim
Munton.
Julia gave a moving speech about her father, Michael, who was
diagnosed with prostate cancer nine months ago, and talked about
why it is so important that awareness of the most common cancer in
men is raised. Julia also revealed that her mother had recently
been diagnosed with colon cancer.
BBC One's Countryfile presenter took time out to be photographed
for the campaign by Jason Bell, one of Britain's most successful
portrait photographers of stars on both sides of the Atlantic. The
images, were used in a high-profile advertising campaign across
digital, print and outdoor media, as well as in thousands of
information packs, posters and other materials, which an army of
volunteers, healthcare professionals and supporters distributed and
displayed. Every year, 37,000 men are diagnosed with prostate
cancer in the UK - and it is a disease which kills one man every
hour.
Speaking last night at the Grand Connaught Rooms in central
London, Julia said: "It's absolutely paramount that we talk about
prostate cancer and discuss it with the men in our lives.
"Prostate cancer first came into my family's life when my Uncle
told us he had been diagnosed with the disease, and it was a chance
discussion with my Uncle about his prostate cancer that prompted me
to ask whether my Dad could be at risk too.
"Bringing up the subject of going to the doctor with my Dad
wasn't an easy one but I am so glad that we talked about it. He
hadn't been tested but when he did go to the doctor the results,
when they came back, were not what any of us wanted to hear. It was
a terrible shock to discover he had prostate cancer nine months ago
but thankfully he is recovering well."
"It's vital we all talk about prostate cancer and raise
awareness of the disease and keep putting it at the top of
everyone's agenda," she added
The awareness month which takes place every March, saw a range
of recognisable faces lending their support to the campaign. As
well as Julia, actor, Max Beesley and Texas singer, Sharleen
Spiteri, all of whom have seen family members affected by prostate
cancer, backed the campaign, urging thousands of people
across the UK to join together and declare 'I'm aware' to support
men and their families affected by the disease.
Ex-England footballers Les Ferdinand MBE and Jamie Redknapp,
television presenters Adrian Chiles and Ben Shephard and sportsmen
Jason Leonard OBE and Jimmy White also supported the campaign by
creating an exclusive range of men's underwear, which went on sale
in March at M&S stores nationwide in aid of the Charity.
The Prostate Cancer Charity's Chief Executive, Owen Sharp, said:
" The night was a fantastic evening and a great way to thank of all
those from our celebrity ambassadors to our corporate supporters
and volunteers for their dedicated support in keeping this disease
on everyone's radar in March and beyond. There are 250,000 men
living with the disease in the UK, yet many of them are still
facing difficulties in accessing the support and information that
they need to cope with the disease. Thanks to Julia, and many of
our other high profile supporters, our awareness month has seen us
make great strides in making more people aware of the most common
cancer in men in the UK "