BBC star shares prostate diagnosis after 'demanding' a test from the NHS
BBC star and restaurant critic Giles Coren has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The 55-year-old Times journalist, who featured on Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond The Lobby, issued the news following a recent biopsy, but assured that 'no treatment would be necessary for the moment'.
Writing for The Times this week, he said: "In the very week that it was announced on the front page of The Times that prostate cancer is now the commonest cancer in England … I have been diagnosed with it!"
Earlier this week, Prostate Cancer UK highlighted that in 2022 and 2023, diagnoses of the disease had surpassed those of breast cancer, now ranking as England's most prevalent cancer. Giles, who is also the brother of Only Connect's host Victoria Coren Mitchell, said his journey with testing started a few years ago.
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"I had to demand, literally demand, a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test along with my annual cholesterol check, because not only is it not mandatory on the NHS but your GP is not even allowed to suggest it unless you have symptoms," he claimed.
A PSA test determines the level of prostate specific antigen in your blood, where increased levels could indicate prostate issues, according to the NHS. Prostate Cancer UK states that 'normal' PSA levels are typically less than 3ng/ml, though this can vary due to factors like age and medication.
Giles was encouraged to take the test following the advocacy of fellow celebrities, including Stephen Fry, the late Bill Turnbull, and Sir Chris Hoy, who publicly disclosed his own terminal prostate cancer diagnosis in 2024. After clocking a high PSA score of four, Giles was then nudged to get an MRI scan, which gave 'not definitely cancer but not definitely not cancer' results.
He resisted a biopsy at first, only following through when his PSA levels reached seven. Post-biopsy, nursing staff said they had found a trace of the disease, 'but less than a millimetre in just three of the 21 samples'. This is the 'lowest possible rating' for such a tumour, which means no immediate treatment is required, 'just monitoring'.
Giles isn't a stranger to the media limelight, having presented on programmes such as BBC Two's Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond The Lobby. His tenure as presenter of BBC Radio 4's Front Row lasted for a single season, but he is best-known for his work as a high-profile restaurant critic and columnist for the Times - and for being part of a family that also included dad Alan Coren, a well-known TV wit.
His initial foray into literature, Winkler, earned him the dubious honour of the Bad Sex In Fiction Award in 2005.
How can I get a PSA test?
PSA testing is not routinely offered with the NHS. However, you may be encouraged to have one if you are exhibiting symptoms of prostate cancer.
Blood in urine or semen, struggling to urinate or peeing more frequently than usual are among the potential signs of this disease. The NHS also explains: "You may be offered a PSA test if a doctor thinks you have symptoms that could be prostate cancer.
"If you're having treatment for a prostate condition you may be offered regular PSA tests to check how the treatment is working. Men aged 50 or over can ask their GP for a PSA test, even if they do not have symptoms. Anyone aged 50 or over with a prostate can ask for a PSA test.
"There is a risk a PSA test result may not be accurate, and you may be offered tests and treatment you do not need. You can discuss the benefits and risks of a PSA test with your GP."
