Sky News star 'fell through the gaps' with stage four cancer diagnosis

Former Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan has revealed how he “fell through the gaps” in his healthcare after being diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer, calling his diagnosis a serious “wake-up call.”

The 67-year-old announced his condition in June and has since been advocating for greater awareness about the importance of testing. Speaking at an event for Prostate Cancer UK, Murnaghan shared the story behind his diagnosis and urged men to be proactive about their health.

He admitted: “For years I thought ‘that will do me’ - I’m getting tested basically once a year or every couple of years.” However, he soon realised that the tests he was undergoing privately didn’t include screening for PSA (prostate-specific antigen), which is crucial for early detection of prostate cancer.

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“It never occurred to me that they weren’t testing for PSA, and I never went to my GP because I was getting other tests privately through the production company,” he explained. “So that’s how I fell through the gaps and that’s how I had a massive wake-up call and want to share the message.”

Prostate cancer can progress silently without any symptoms. Stage four, which is the most advanced stage, means the cancer has spread beyond the prostate, potentially affecting other organs such as the bladder, bones, lungs, or liver.

Despite its prevalence, affecting about one in eight men in their lifetime, there is currently no routine national screening programme for prostate cancer. The PSA blood test is available but not routinely recommended by the NHS due to concerns about its accuracy. Men over 50 can request the test from their GP.

Murnaghan has now emphasised the importance of insisting on testing, regardless of symptoms or age. “You can get to the stage I have with no symptoms. Get the test, insist on the test,” he said.

“You can insist on the test if you are in a high-risk group and under 50. If you are not, I’d still get the test at 50. Go to your GP and they say you don’t need it but say ‘but I want it’. It is your right to have it. Just keep doing that every year or couple of years.”

He also encouraged men to regularly monitor their PSA levels. “Once you’ve got that marker where your PSA is, keep monitoring it,” Murnaghan said. “The earlier you find prostate cancer the easier it is to treat. Check your risk in just 30 seconds with Prostate Cancer UK’s online risk checker to see if you are at risk and what you can choose to do about it.”

On treatment, Murnaghan expressed his optimism about new developments as he said: “In terms of the treatments for the stage I’m at, they are a myriad. What’s astonishing is just how fast things are developing."

The former Sky News reporter revealed that the treatment he’s receiving was only approved within the last few years. “There is a lot of hope out there, there’s a lot going on, there’s a lot of advice and a lot of things happening. As a sufferer and a non-medical person, my advice is ask questions. There are always different ways of doing things… keep asking those questions about where you are and what’s available.”

Murnaghan also announced he will take part in Tour de 4, a charity cycling event led by Sir Chris Hoy to raise funds and awareness for cancer charities across the UK.

The Olympian revealed his own terminal prostate cancer diagnosis in October 2024. “I’m really proud to be supporting Prostate Cancer UK and taking part in Sir Chris Hoy’s fundraising event, the Tour de 4,” Murnaghan said.

“This groundbreaking cycling challenge is raising vital funds and changing the conversation. I’ll be riding in Glasgow this September alongside some incredible participants, all to raise awareness and help save men’s lives. Prostate Cancer UK means a lot to me and I’d love for you to get involved and show your support. Together we can make a real difference."

The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call them on 0808 808 0000.

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