Actor Colin McFarlane feels lucky cancer was caught early despite no symptoms

Colin McFarlane, 61, was cautioned about prostate cancer “over 17 years ago” actor John Shrapnel advised him to get a health check from the age of 50.

“He told me [prostate cancer] was a particular issue with black men, which shocked me, and I began looking into it then,” said Colin.

“I have been having PSA tests for about eight years.” The British actor, from Hackney, had a progressively elevated PSA reading, so doctors suggested an MRI scan.

“A urology specialist, Mr Grey, then called to tell me that the MRI revealed that there was a 30 percent chance of cancer and he recommended a biopsy,” said Colin.

“A biopsy can be with a local anaesthetic or a general. I had a local and the procedure was pretty uncomfortable but I got through it.”

Colin, who has starred as Commissioner Loeb in the Dark Knight trilogy, said it took three nurses to carry out the procedure.

“I remember talking to them about the Batman films and the Cube game show – anything to try and take my mind off it!”

Colin added two weeks after having his biopsy, on December 20, 2022, his urology specialist revealed they had caught cancer in its early stages.

Deemed “low risk”, Colin is “under active surveillance” for his localised stage T2 prostate cancer.

While Colin has no symptoms, he is looked after by the medical team at St Barts, London.

Every three months Colin has a PSA test and an annual MRI scan, so the situation can be followed closely.

“Nevertheless the consultant then explained the treatment options if I ever needed them down the line,” said Colin.

Colin feels as though he is “one of the lucky ones” as the cancer has been caught in the early stages.

“It’s men who take no action and don’t know anything about their prostate health that are at the greatest risk,” said Colin.

“My next assignment is to join Prostate Cancer UK’s March for Men walking event in Battersea Park on July 23.”

March for Men is a charity walking event that unites people across the UK to celebrate the lives of those affected by prostate cancer and to remember those who have been lost to the disease.

Also, you can find out if you have a higher risk of prostate cancer – and what you can do about it – by using Prostate Cancer UK’s 30-second online risk checker at prostatecanceruk.org/riskcheck.