Andy Taylor Diagnosed with Stage 4 Prostate Cancer
Longtime Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor has stage 4 prostate cancer. The band announced the news during their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Saturday. Taylor did not join his former bandmates due to ongoing treatment.
In a letter read onstage by front man Simon Le Bon, Taylor revealed that he had been diagnosed four years ago.
“Many families have experienced the slow burn of this disease and of course, we are no different,” Taylor wrote. “So I speak from the perspective of a family man but with profound humility to the band, the greatest fans a group could have and this exceptional accolade.”
According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 270,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States in 2022. About 34,500 will die from the disease.
Taylor’s letter is posted in full on the band’s website. He is receiving “sophisticated life-extending treatment.” It allows him to “just rock on” though he recently suffered a setback. His condition is incurable.
Dr. Julio Pow-Sang, Genitourinary Oncology Program
“There is a saying that goes, ‘More men die with prostate cancer than because of prostate cancer,’” said Dr. Julio Pow-Sang, chair of the Genitourinary Oncology Program at Moffitt Cancer Center. “Most prostate cancer patients die from natural causes or comorbidities such as cardiac disease. Nevertheless, some cancers are aggressive. It’s important to perform a thorough assessment to identify these more aggressive cancers as early as possible. Newer treatment modalities can improve survival while maintaining quality of life.”
Prostate cancer symptoms tend to develop in the later stages of the disease, however initial warning signs may include:
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Painful or burning sensation during urination or ejaculation
- Problems starting or stopping a stream of urine
As the disease progresses, prostate cancer may cause more pronounced symptoms, such as:
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Bone pain that doesn’t go away or leads to fractures
- Pain in the pelvic area, lower back, hips or thighs
- Weakened, decreased or interrupted flow of urine
Aside from skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting men. One in eight men will be diagnosed with the disease during his lifetime. Men ages 45 to 75 should have a conversation with their doctor about the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening. The Prostate Cancer Foundation recommends that Black and African American men talk to their doctor about screening at age 40.
