Newsreader Dermot Murnaghan has called for better cancer screening as he opens up on his own diagnosis.
The former Sky News and BBC broadcaster revealed earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer.
Stage four represents the most severe phase of cancer, where cancerous cells have moved beyond the prostate to other parts of the body. Although this stage is largely incurable, it can still be managed with treatment.
The 67-year-old has today called for improved cancer screening, saying money will eventually be ‘saved further down the line’.
He issued a plea for a better screening process for men aged over 50, in high-risk groups or who have symptoms.
Prostate cancer is often diagnosed using a blood test to measure prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.
Mr. Murnaghan acknowledged that while PSA tests might occasionally be ‘inaccurate and lead to overtreatment’, the accuracy of these tests is improving, and earlier diagnosis could lead to cost savings.
Speaking to Sky News, he said: ‘Most men who age have an enlarged prostate of some kind.
Newsreader Dermot Murnaghan revealed earlier this year he has been diagnosed with stage four cancer
The 67-year-old has today called for improved cancer screening, saying money will eventually be ‘saved further down the line’
He issued a plea for a better screening process for men aged over 50, in high-risk groups or who have symptoms
‘In many cases, it is not going to be a threat to their life. Something else in the end will probably get them.
‘So I understand that, but the fact is that the tests are getting more accurate.
‘I am not a professional here, I only know from my end of it, but they are getting more accurate.
‘They might cost a bit more money, but think of the money you save on treating people who get to my stage.
‘There are an awful lot of things being thrown at me that are costing a lot of money.
‘If I had been caught, as in so many more of the other cancers, if you diagnose much earlier, you save money further down the line.’
Mr Murnaghan, who has been married to his wife Maria for almost 36 years and has four children, revealed his diagnosis on Twitter in June.
He shared, ‘Having been diagnosed with stage four advanced prostate cancer, I am lucky to have an exceptional medical team caring for me. Their expertise, compassion, and sensitivity are providing me with the best possible care, for which I am incredibly grateful.’
‘I’m responding positively to their excellent treatment, and feeling well’.
He also expressed his intention to participate in Sir Chris Hoy’s fundraising charity bike ride in September, aimed at raising awareness and funds for cancer charities across the United Kingdom.
Dermot Murnaghan and wife Maria at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London. The couple have four children
Dermot revealed the tragic news on twitter, but said he feels well and is getting excellent treatment
The Olympian announced he had a terminal diagnosis for prostate cancer in October 2024.
The Tour de 4 ride, kicking off and concluding at the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome in Glasgow on September 7, seeks to alter perceptions about individuals living with stage four cancer.
Mr. Murnaghan emphasized today, ‘It’s imperative for all men over 50, especially those in high-risk categories or experiencing symptoms, to get tested and advocate for routine prostate screenings by the NHS.’
‘Early detection is crucial. And be aware, this disease can sometimes progress rapidly without obvious symptoms’.
NHS guidance says men over the age of 50 are at highest risk of developing prostate cancer, but Sir Chris wants to help men get screened earlier.
About one in eight men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime, according to the charity Prostate Cancer UK, and the disease often has no symptoms in its earlier stages.
Dermot left Sky after more than 15 years in 2023.
Before joining Sky News, Murnaghan presented ITV’s News At Ten and the BBC Ten O’Clock News – now known as BBC News At Ten – as well as Channel 4 News.
Murnaghan has also hosted the BBC’s quiz programme Eggheads.
While at Sky News he was the journalist who announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II outside Buckingham Palace as well as numerous elections in the UK and the US.
Dermot Murnaghan speaks in front of cameras outside Buckingham Palace as he told Sky News viewers that the Queen had died in 2022
Dermot Murnaghan and Natasha Kaplinsky became a famous BBC Breakfast duo
He began his career as a trainee reporter at local newspapers before joining Channel 4 as a researcher. He later became a reporter for the broadcaster’s The Business Programme.
After a brief stint in Switzerland to present the European Business Channel, Mr Murnaghan returned to Britain to host the business segments on The Channel 4 Daily, a new breakfast show by Channel 4.
He then made the move to ITV in the early 1990s, where in 1997 he broke the news of the death of Princess Diana.
The veteran journalist switched broadcasters again in the early 2000s, joining BBC Breakfast as one of the lead presenters from 2002 to 2007.
Dermot formed a very popular partnership with Natasha Kaplinsky.
He was also a regular fixture on the six o’clock and ten o’clock news.
He moved to Sky News in October 2007, where he has remained until his final show almost 16 years later.
Away from news, he presented the popular BBC quiz, Eggheads.
Murnaghan presents true crime documentary series Killer Britain and the podcast Legends Of News.
In 2017 the newsreader was ‘wiped out’ by a driver while he was cycling.
The accident, which he described as a ‘hit-and-run’, left him with a number of cuts and bruises as well as a damaged bike.
He shared the image of his injured face on social media with the caption: ‘This is why I haven’t been on the air for two days.’
Speaking to Sky News, he said afterwards: ‘On an empty road in north London a guy in a car on a mobile phone pulled out from the side of the road without indicating.
‘I swerved that, but a millisecond later he U-turned into me and wiped me out.’
Mr Murnaghan, who is an avid cyclist, explained that he had woken up at 6am to go cycling with friends before work and had been wearing a hi-vis jacket.
He said: ‘Twenty minutes later I was lying by the side of the road with a broken cycle helmet and a hobbled bike, still spinning, lights shining – and a variety of cuts, bruises and abrasions, but thankfully no broken bones.’
