### Coleen Nolan Shares Positive Update on Brother Brian’s Cancer Treatment
Coleen Nolan has delivered a hopeful message regarding her brother Brian’s recent health struggles, revealing that he has been given the all-clear following a diagnosis of prostate cancer earlier this year. The news comes as a significant relief to the Nolan family, who have already endured the loss of their beloved sister Linda to breast cancer in January 2025.
Brian Nolan, who received his diagnosis just days after Linda’s funeral, was told by doctors that he had stage 2 prostate cancer. The news came as a shock to the family, with the timing compounding their grief. Brian opted to undergo a robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy—a surgical procedure that removes the prostate gland using minimally invasive technology—in a bid to tackle the disease head-on, and his recovery appears to have been successful.
Writing in her regular column, Coleen expressed deep admiration for Brian’s courage throughout his ordeal. Far from keeping his diagnosis private, Brian has used his experience to urge men across the UK to pay close attention to their health. He has become vocal about the need for increased awareness of prostate cancer, encouraging men to request the simple PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test that can help detect the disease at an early and treatable stage.
Brian’s advocacy has extended to campaigning for the introduction of a national screening programme, akin to those already established for breast and cervical cancer. Throughout his campaign, he has spoken candidly about the symptoms that led him to seek medical advice, including increased frequency of urination and disturbed sleep. Initially, he had put these changes down to age or a possible bladder issue, a mistaken assumption shared by many men in his demographic.
Coleen reiterated in her column just how important it is to heed bodily warning signs: “He suspected he might have a bladder issue or that maybe it was just his age catching up with him. 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.”
The Nolan family’s ongoing struggles with cancer have been well documented. Tragically, Bernie Nolan died in 2013 aged just 52 after a battle with breast cancer, while Anne Nolan has faced the disease twice. These personal losses appear to have sharpened the family’s resolve to speak out about the realities of living with cancer and the critical importance of early detection.
Brian was able to celebrate his 70th birthday in June, looking forward to his future with renewed hope following a challenging few months. Coleen remarked, “He now has so much to look forward to,” underlining the life-changing impact that early intervention and medical support can bring.
In her reflection, Coleen also highlighted how inspiring it has been to watch her brother speak so openly on live television about his diagnosis and recovery. She emphasised the importance of not only personal vigilance but also using one’s platform to inform and encourage others who might be hesitant to seek testing.
For many men, prostate cancer raises difficult questions and emotions—yet Brian’s story demonstrates the positive outcomes that can follow timely investigation and treatment. Early symptoms can include an increased need to urinate, difficulty starting or stopping urination, weak or interrupted urine flow, blood in urine or semen, and pain in the back, hips, or pelvis. Sometimes, especially in the earliest stages, there are few or no symptoms at all.
Prostate cancer more commonly affects older men, with the majority of cases being diagnosed after the age of 50. Other risk factors include family history, African or Caribbean ancestry, and dietary issues such as high consumption of red meat or fatty dairy. Smoking and obesity may further elevate the risk.
As the Nolan family moves forward, their story serves as both a warning and a beacon of hope—reminding us all of the life-saving potential of early cancer detection and the importance of speaking openly about health struggles. Brian’s decision to speak out is perhaps his greatest legacy yet, potentially helping many others to catch the disease before it’s too late.