Taken from the Guardian (www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/20 ... kle-number) Quote OK folks, time for something a bit more serious. What do you know about prostate cancer? Doesn't sound great, does it? So it might come as a surprise to discover that Bill Arthur, who has been the calming influence on Sky's rugby league coverage for more than a decade, has been having treatment for the condition for more than a year. You'd never have guessed to look at or listen to him, either reporting from the touchline of Super League matches, or presenting the Full Time highlights show on Sunday nights. But as a long-time Guardian reader, he's keen for us to mention it in this week's Six – not in a look-at-me way (that's never been his style), but in the hope that it'll persuade the rest of us middle-aged blokes to consider our health in Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Bill is 56, and it was only when he was in the process of moving house in late 2011, and he was required to take a routine medical, that he became aware of a potential problem. After urine and blood tests, he saw a consultant, and "can remember quite clearly seeing the words prostate cancer written across the corner of a document" that was lying upside down on the desk. "I don't think either of us actually mentioned the words prostate cancer," Bill adds. "I suppose I didn't want to hear that. I didn't want to hear that said out loud. I didn't want to ask about it." After a couple of further tests, biopsies and MRI scans, he was eventually diagnosed over the phone (which he had requested for a more speedy diagnosis) in January 2012. The oncology nurse talked him through the options for Bill to consider. "I remember I was leaning against the sideboard at home. The nurse was really just confirming what I already knew, but it didn't make it any easier to hear and I'm not sure I took in all she was saying." Bill was referred to an oncologist, who gave him a full run-down of all his treatment options. "I didn't realise there were so many different paths to take, unlike some other cancers which seem to have one obvious treatment route. Honestly, I was a bit bewildered by the options and it didn't make me feel very optimistic. At a time when I was down, I was expected to make crucial choices. It was all a bit daunting." He eventually opted to have hormone therapy in combination with radiotherapy, which he started in March 2012. His treatment finished in July and since then regular tests have shown that the prostate cancer is being managed. "Every time a test and check-up approaches, I get apprehensive," Bill concludes. "I always hope for the best, but will never be complacent about my health ever again." Something for us all to think about there. Prostate Cancer UK's confidential Helpline is 0800 074 8383 which is staffed by specialist nurses and open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and Wednesdays from 7-9pm or visit www.prostatecanceruk.org'" I am sure everyone will join me in wishing Bill a full and speedy recovery.

Taken from the Guardian (www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/20 ... kle-number) Quote OK folks, time for something a bit more serious. What do you know about prostate cancer? Doesn't sound great, does it? So it might come as a surprise to discover that Bill Arthur, who has been the calming influence on Sky's rugby league coverage for more than a decade, has been having treatment for the condition for more than a year. You'd never have guessed to look at or listen to him, either reporting from the touchline of Super League matches, or presenting the Full Time highlights show on Sunday nights. But as a long-time Guardian reader, he's keen for us to mention it in this week's Six – not in a look-at-me way (that's never been his style), but in the hope that it'll persuade the rest of us middle-aged blokes to consider our health in Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Bill is 56, and it was only when he was in the process of moving house in late 2011, and he was required to take a routine medical, that he became aware of a potential problem. After urine and blood tests, he saw a consultant, and "can remember quite clearly seeing the words prostate cancer written across the corner of a document" that was lying upside down on the desk. "I don't think either of us actually mentioned the words prostate cancer," Bill adds. "I suppose I didn't want to hear that. I didn't want to hear that said out loud. I didn't want to ask about it." After a couple of further tests, biopsies and MRI scans, he was eventually diagnosed over the phone (which he had requested for a more speedy diagnosis) in January 2012. The oncology nurse talked him through the options for Bill to consider. "I remember I was leaning against the sideboard at home. The nurse was really just confirming what I already knew, but it didn't make it any easier to hear and I'm not sure I took in all she was saying." Bill was referred to an oncologist, who gave him a full run-down of all his treatment options. "I didn't realise there were so many different paths to take, unlike some other cancers which seem to have one obvious treatment route. Honestly, I was a bit bewildered by the options and it didn't make me feel very optimistic. At a time when I was down, I was expected to make crucial choices. It was all a bit daunting." He eventually opted to have hormone therapy in combination with radiotherapy, which he started in March 2012. His treatment finished in July and since then regular tests have shown that the prostate cancer is being managed. "Every time a test and check-up approaches, I get apprehensive," Bill concludes. "I always hope for the best, but will never be complacent about my health ever again." Something for us all to think about there. Prostate Cancer UK's confidential Helpline is 0800 074 8383 which is staffed by specialist nurses and open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and Wednesdays from 7-9pm or visit www.prostatecanceruk.org'" I am sure everyone will join me in wishing Bill a full and speedy recovery.

Bloody hell, get well soon Bill.

All the best to him and well done for talking about something which a lot of men try to ignore.

All the best Bill.

Hope you get well soon

Best wishes Bill. It shouldn't happen to anyone, but when its one of ours we feel it more.

Good luck Bill!

Good luck Bill, all the best!

Jeez, hope it all works out ok for the fella ...all the best Blatha !

All the best Bill, also having just watched SL backchat I hope Dave Hadfield is ok, didn't look great to me

Get well soon Bill!

All the best Bill.

Blimey. Get well soon Bill

Bill Arthur is a real gentleman and a top quality game caller and interviewer as well.

I really hope he makes a full recovery. We need more Bill Arthurs associated with our game, not less.

Good luck Bill!

Get well soo Bill.

Get well soon Bill.

Always enjoy his work and he seems like a really nice bloke.

Met Bill a couple of times when he commentated on the Varsity match, came to watch our game the week before t meet us and learn the players' names, very nice gent. Get well soon Bill.

Get well soon Bill.

Don't think you can cure Prostate Cancer but treated promptly it can be controlled often for many many years. Lets hope Bill is in that group. Best wishes.

If it hasn't escaped the prostate gland (metastasis) it can be controlled long-term with the sort of treatments that Bill's been having.

Hope your prognosis is good, Bill.

Bill's a great bloke, loves the game and has a great sense of humour. I wish him all the best in his treatment and this has now reminded me to do something about the letter I received, offering me a free NHS MoT.

All the best Bill

Aye , He's looked like that on both occasions Ive seen backchat , Good luck to Bill also .

As with many cancers, there's a big scale of the effect it can have.

Prostate cancer got my Dad three years after he was diagnosed, but, as you mentioned, it had already caused secondary spots elsewhere in his body.

However, doctors may well tell you that most elderly men will have something like it present in their prostate gland and its commonly something you can(should) die with, rather than of.

Get checked guys. That's the moral of the story.

In another of my life experiences I was diagnosed with testicular cancer when I was 27. I went to the doctor just to be safe because I was a little tender and couldn't decide if I was also a little swollen. Had an ultrasound and a week later I was in Liverpool royal - snipped out my right plum and sent me home. I was playing rugby again within 3 months of my initial appointment without any need for any chemo or anything like that - all because I acted early. That was just over 5 years ago and I've been fighting fit ever since - i've also just had a baby boy who my wife promises is mine, so I'm still in good working order even without my reserve.

So go and see the doctor - as the advert's say, its probably nothing, but its not worth leaving.

I have been through it as well. My Dad had it and told me to have the PSA test (which is a simple blood test) when I hit 50. Luckily I did and so it was caught early and is now (touch wood) OK. Like Bill hormone and radiotherapy plus brachytherapy seemed to do the trick.

The message is simple guys, don't be too embarrassed to go and get checked. As I say the PSA is a simple blood test, it's the ones afterwards that are more interesting! Good luck Bill.