Prostate charity boss says ‘brave’ BBC presenter Bill Turnbull saved lives

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Prostate Cancer UK chief executive says the late Bill Turnbull saved lives and encouraged “thousands and thousands” of men to come forward for testing.

The presenter, best known for his time on BBC Breakfast, died at the age of 66 this morning after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in November 2017.

Since then, Turnbull campaigned to raise awareness among those at risk as an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK, which works to improve awareness and provides training and funding.

The charity’s chief executive Laura Kerby said the journalist and broadcaster “leaves a resounding impact”. READ MORE Man suffers 'life-changing' injuries after getting out car on M60 and being hit by lorry She said: “Thousands and thousands of men have come forward as a result of him helping us raise awareness of Prostate Cancer UK – and him just telling his story. “He has saved lives – 11,500 men die in the UK every year of prostate cancer and he would have helped some people come earlier (for testing) so that they could have avoided that. “One in eight men are affected, one in four black men, and he has made a huge impact in reaching into those communities, as a man telling his story, being brave. “We will be forever grateful for everything that he’s done to help men find out about their prostate cancer risk, and everything he’s done for us at Prostate Cancer UK.” Ms Kerby said that after Turnbull announced his diagnosis, levels of referrals to the NHS increased by about 20% and her charity’s helpline also saw a large increase in calls.