BBC broadcaster Nick Owen received an emotional message from a viewer who said “you might have saved my life” after Owen had opened up about his own battle with cancer.
Iain Phillipson tuned into Midlands Today last September when Owen delivered his heartfelt announcement regarding prostate cancer. Nick had been informed by doctors that he had the disease and Iain was moved by his candid sharing.
Owen chose not to remain silent but instead used his platform to raise awareness and potentially help others. Iain had been aware of a family history of prostate cancer but had not pursued testing until inspired by Nick’s “brave” disclosure.
Spurred into action, Iain pressed his GP for a PSA blood test, which sadly confirmed he too had prostate cancer. Opting for privacy, Iain and his wife kept the news within the family, only revealing their burden to their children three weeks ago as Iain celebrated going into remission.
Grateful for the push towards getting tested, Iain reached out to thank Owen personally for his influence. He credits Owen’s story with prompting him to take action that possibly saved his life, reports the Express.
During their poignant meeting after Iain’s recovery, he expressed his gratitude, telling Owen: “I wanted to thank you because without seeing your TV I wouldn’t have had the awareness to actually go along and ask for a PSA test.”
“You might have saved my life. Is the reality of this,” expressed the 66 year old from Herefordshire. Nick was keen to know if Iain had encountered any “pushbacks” in his journey.
Shockingly, Iain did face some hurdles with his GP when he requested a test. However, given that his father had suffered from prostate cancer, his request wasn’t dismissed and the “door was opened”.
In the touching tribute segment, Iain told him: “I was, I suppose, touched by your openness and bravery,” Nick interjected: “When I first talked about it, it was quite difficult.”
The broadcaster confessed: “You know it’s so personal, so private and so intimate that actually coming out with it to potentially millions of people it’s quite an ordeal in a way but once you pass the first barrier it’s fine.”
It was at this juncture Iain admitted: “Well we only told our children about it three weeks ago when I got the all clear.
“We wanted to deal with it ourselves, not worry about them and not have people continually asking me ‘how are you doing’. “I’m quite happy telling my story, I think it’s important that people who get through cancer do tell their story because staying silent doesn’t really help people.”
Speaking to the camera post-discussion, Nick described his encounter with the Herefordshire father as “heartwarming and inspiring”. While he wished he “hadn’t been through it [cancer] in the first place”, he was “pleased that something good had come out of it”.
Nick’s courage was acknowledged by royalty, with Princess Anne bestowing upon him an MBE for his contributions to charity and broadcasting.
BBC Breakfast airs on BBC One every day from 6am.