Jeremy Clarkson’s prostate cancer revelation sees fourfold increase in people checking to see if they’re at risk

Jeremy Clarkson’s prostate cancer revelation has seen a fourfold increase in the number of men seeking advice and checking to see if they’re at risk of the disease.

The TV star’s diagnosis, revealed in the final episode of the most recent series of Clarkson’s Farm, saw 4,800 people visit Prostate Cancer UK’s risk checker tool on Wednesday, up from an average of 1,200.

Web traffic to the charity’s site was 65 per cent higher at midday, and views were nine times higher across social media posts.

Charity Tackle Prostate Cancer saw a 12 per cent uplift in new users accessing its site on Wednesday.

Chiara De Biase, the fundraising and health strategy director for Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We want to thank Jeremy for sharing his prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment in Clarkson’s Farm, raising vital awareness with the millions of men and families watching.”

Prostate cancer became the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK following television presenter Bill Turnbull and Stephen Fry’s public sharing of their diagnoses in 2018.

After King Charles shared his enlarged prostate diagnosis, the NHS saw a 1,000 per cent jump in visits to its website, while David Cameron’s diagnosis announcement saw more than 22,562 people visit the risk checker – an increase of 937 per cent.

Professor Peter Johnson, the NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: “Jeremy’s decision to speak about his prostate cancer diagnosis could help save lives.

“His honesty has already driven a huge increase in people seeking information, and it may encourage some men who would not normally talk about their health to come forward and get checked.

“We know that coming forward for prostate checks can be daunting, but it could save your life, so I would encourage men to see their GP as soon as possible if they are concerned.”

In the episode, which came out on Tuesday, Mr Clarkson, 66, revealed he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of the cancer, which develops in the prostate gland.

He revealed that he underwent a biopsy after a medical check-up and was told the cancer was aggressive, but had been caught at a “really early” stage.

“I’m going to be here for a little while,” he said from a hospital bed. “I don’t know what’s going to happen.

“What I wanted to say was if this is all successful, I’ll see you in season six, and if it isn’t, I won’t,” he said. “Take care, everyone.”

Within a year of former track cyclist Sir Chris Hoy’s announcement, more than one million people had visited Prostate Cancer UK’s online risk check, and of those more than 80 per cent were at higher risk.

An average of 64,000 men will receive a diagnosis in the UK each year, and more than 12,000 will die, making it one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the UK.

Ms De Biase said: “Any men worried by Jeremy’s story should take our 30-second online risk checker or have a chat with their GP about a quick and simple blood test to check for any signs.”