Traitors Star Ben Opens Up About Secret Prostate Cancer Battle
Ben, a 66-year-old reality star who appeared on the latest series of Claudia Winkleman's BBC show The Traitors earlier this year, has publicly revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis in a candid social media post. The star shared the news via a TikTok video, explaining that he was diagnosed before applying and being cast for the popular reality programme.
Diagnosis Without Symptoms
In his emotional video message, Ben disclosed that he never experienced any symptoms prior to receiving the diagnosis. "I never had any symptoms and people now tell me I am lucky that I was diagnosed," he stated. "I tend to agree as I am under the NHS and they treat me every three months. I get tested to make sure my cancer is under control."
Ben also highlighted that prostate cancer has now been confirmed as the most common cancer in the United Kingdom, with men being diagnosed at an all-time high rate. He called for changes in screening programmes, noting that prostate cancer currently has the only full screening programme in place among cancer types.
Support from Traitors Co-Stars
A wave of support flooded the comments section of Ben's post from his fellow Traitors contestants:
- Rachel Duffy, who won the programme alongside Stephen Libby, wrote: "Ben you are amazing."
- Roxy Wilson commented: "Love to you Ben, great that you're raising much needed awareness here."
- Fiona Hughes, who was the Secret Traitor on the show, added: "Sending you lots of cwtches Ben – so lovely of you to share your story and raising awareness."
Prostate Cancer Statistics and NHS Response
Recent data from Prostate Cancer UK illustrates a significant increase in prostate cancer cases, which have surged ahead of breast cancer diagnoses during 2022 and 2023. The figures show a 25 percent rise in prostate cancer cases from 2019 to 2023, attributed to increased awareness and more early detections.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England's Clinical Director for Cancer, praised these developments: "Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff and our effective awareness campaigns, we are diagnosing more men with prostate cancer at an earlier stage than ever before, so they have the best possible chance of receiving effective treatment."
He continued: "We know that coming forward for prostate checks can be daunting, but it could save your life, so we would encourage men to consult the prostate cancer symptoms advice available on NHS.uk, and to see their GP as soon as possible if they are concerned."
Ben's Traitors Journey
During his time on The Traitors, Ben played as a Faithful but was eliminated relatively early in the competition, finishing 20th out of 24 players. His revelation about his health battle comes several months after his appearance on the hit BBC reality series, adding a poignant personal dimension to his television persona.
The star's decision to share his story publicly represents a significant contribution to cancer awareness efforts, particularly for prostate cancer which affects thousands of men across the United Kingdom each year. His experience underscores the importance of regular check-ups and early detection, even in the absence of noticeable symptoms.
