Gary Lineker reveals cancer scare and urges other men to have regular prostate checks

Football legend and TV presenter Gary Lineker has revealed he had a cancer scare and urged other men to get regular check-ups from their doctor.

The former England goalscorer told of the experience after a prostate examination in a recent interview.

The 60-year-old also told of the importance of regular checks, saying avoiding the doctor is “a dangerous game”.

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Lineker told The Sun: “I have a full body check every couple of years and I did have one prostate scare.

“It’s important to get ahead of it and a lot of men, we sometimes think, ‘I’m all right’. We don’t want to see doctors.

“But that’s a dangerous game. We are all a little bit scared of having something and I think it’s fair to share that. It turned out to be nothing with me but it’s important to get ahead of it.

It makes it a lot worse if you catch it late. It’s vital for people my age to make sure they are OK, to constantly get checks if possible.”

According to the NHS, prostate cancer is the most common cancer amongst men in the UK and usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs for many years.

The NHS website also says symptoms, which include increased need to urinate and straining while you urinate, do not usually appear until the prostate becomes enlarged.

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Lineker told earlier this year how another health issue has forced him to stop one of his hobbies.

Appearing on Rain Delay with Mark Nicholas podcast, he said: “I don't play any more because actually my fingers are so arthritic I can't even hold a club. I don't play but I have kept that membership."

Asked if he thought he would ever take part in the sport again, he said: "Only watching. I had to work very hard at it. I loved golf."

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