**Feargal Sharkey Reveals Cancer Diagnosis While Urging Men to Prioritise Health**
Renowned singer and prominent environmental activist Feargal Sharkey has revealed he was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year, using the experience as a platform to urge men across the UK to pay closer attention to their health and seek early testing. The 65-year-old, best known as the former lead vocalist of The Undertones and for his ongoing campaign work for water quality, issued his candid message during a recent interview, reflecting both on his health journey and his wider public work.
Sharkey, whose passionate activism has seen him leading protests for cleaner rivers in Wales and across the country, initially sought medical advice after experiencing a sore throat. His doctor, described affectionately as “the beautiful, wonderful, awkward, cantankerous old man that he is”, decided to conduct a full suite of health tests, given Sharkey’s age. Within days, he would learn that his life was about to change dramatically.
“It turns out, I began a journey which led to the diagnosis of prostate cancer,” Sharkey told the Daily Express, sharing his gratitude that the health issue has since been resolved. The singer was quick to point out, however, that his story is sadly not unique. In England alone, over 50,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022, highlighting both the prevalence of the disease and the importance of regular check-ups.
Addressing the public directly, Sharkey made a heartfelt plea to men, urging them to take initiative and screen for potential health issues before they become more serious. “One in eight of you will be put on the same journey I’ve had,” he stated. “It’s quite astonishing to think that in this country right now, one in eight men have prostate cancer. Most of them don’t even know it. So go and have the blood test and if you’re lucky, you’ll walk away.” Sharkey’s openness resonates amidst increasing public health campaigns aimed at boosting cancer awareness and screening uptake among men.
Prostate cancer can often develop without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, which is why Sharkey’s call to action holds particular significance. Screening methods include a digital rectal examination (DRE), blood tests (such as the prostate-specific antigen or PSA test), biopsies, and MRI scans. However, the commonly known PSA test is not part of routine NHS screening due to concerns over its reliability in detecting cancers that genuinely require treatment. Despite this, men aged over 50 are entitled to request a PSA test via their GP – a vital opportunity that is too often overlooked.
Sharkey is keen to empower others through his story, underlining that early detection was crucial in his positive outcome. His experience is a stark reminder of the importance of regular medical check-ups, especially as men age.
Parallel to his health advocacy, Sharkey continues to campaign vigorously for environmental causes, particularly around the state of UK waterways. In early 2024, he took part in a protest outside Cardiff’s Civil Justice Centre, highlighting the plight of the River Wye. “The River Wye is being poisoned, it is dying, and is being obliterated,” Sharkey declared during the protest. He has not held back in criticising government bodies, stating that agencies charged with river protection “have utterly failed through their own incompetence and that needs to be corrected.”
Sharkey’s willingness to speak candidly about his own health issues, while simultaneously pushing for wider societal and environmental change, underscores his commitment to the public good. His articulate and compassionate appeal to men to be proactive about their health comes at a time when NHS data continues to show a significant number of undiagnosed prostate cancer cases.
As Sharkey continues his activism – balancing personal experience and public duty – his message is clear: early detection saves lives, and everyone has a role to play in looking after themselves and the world around them. Through his story, he aims to inspire others to act before it’s too late, whether by booking a medical check-up or by standing up for the environment.