Paul Burrell, whom Prince Harry referred to simply as «the butler» in his memoir, «Spare,» (via Marie Claire) much to the chagrin of Burrell, revealed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer last year, via YouTube. Burrell explained that he was on hormone therapy which has been disrupting how his hair was growing. «I’m tired and emotional and I get hot flashes,» he said, smiling, perhaps attempting to make light of his circumstances.
After receiving an unusual test result, he was sent for an MRI which revealed cancer in his prostate. «I’m on an emotional, educational rollercoaster. Ups and downs, and not knowing where I’m going to be the next minute,» he said. «And having the biopsy itself and finding the cancer — wrapping Christmas presents this year, and thinking, am I going to do this next year? Am I going to be here? I need to tell my boys,» he said.
His adult children, who live in the United States, held him when he gave them the news over Christmas. «Dad, we need to spend more time with you,» he said his children responded. «And that’s what it’s about,» Burrell said.
Burrell continued with a message to those out there who might not have symptoms: he was fortunate his doctors caught his prostate cancer in the beginning stages. He urged men over 50 to ask for the relevant tests, and for their loved ones to encourage them to go as well.
