Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron Reveals Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron has revealed he is battling prostate cancer. In an interview with The Times, Cameron said he was screened for the disease after his wife urged him to do so. 

A prostate-specific antigen test showed Cameron’s levels were above normal range. He then had an MRI and biopsy, which confirmed the diagnosis.  

According to the interview, Cameron underwent focal therapy, a minimally invasive treatment option that focuses on treating only the affected areas of the prostate, leaving healthy tissue intact. 

What Is Focal Therapy? 

Different types of focal therapy options are offered at Moffitt Cancer Center. The approach aims to treat cancer while minimizing side effects and preserving quality of life.

Julio Pow-Sang, MD

“Focal therapy means treating only part of the prostate, not the whole prostate. The traditional treatments are surgery or radiation therapy in which one either removes or radiates the whole prostate,” said Julio Pow-Sang, MD, chair of the Genitourinary Oncology Department at Moffitt. 

Focal Therapy Options 

Focal therapies use different types of energy, like extreme cold or heat, to target cancer cells more precisely.  They offer men with localized prostate cancer an effective option for treatment with a lower risk of side effects, like erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. 

Focal therapy options offered at Moffitt include: 

• High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU): This technique is used for early stage prostate cancer visible in imaging scans. It is ideal for patients with a small to medium sized prostate without major calcifications. HIFU provides precise ultrasound treatment without surgical incisions, needles or radiation, allowing for quick recovery and resumption of normal activities. 

• Cryosurgery: This method uses freezing temperatures to destroy cancer cells. It involves inserting cryoprobes into the prostate under ultrasound guidance to deliver subzero temperatures. 

• Irreversible Electroporation (IRE): IRE uses short, high-voltage electrical pulses delivered through needle electrodes under ultrasound guidance. It creates nanopores in cancer cell membranes, causing irreversible damage without heating or radiation. 

The decision to use focal therapy is made in collaboration with the multidisciplinary teams at Moffitt, the referring physician and the patient. This team approach helps tailor treatment and requires close follow-up to watch for recurrence.  

“It is a promising technology, but it hasn’t been proven long term. So, men have to be aware that they must be followed up closely,” Pow-Sang said. 

A Push for More Screenings 

 According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, after skin cancer. About 313,780 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States in 2025. 

Prostate cancer is also the most common cancer in males in the U.K., with about 55,000 new cases every year, according to the Cancer Research UK. Cameron hopes his story inspires more men to be screened. 

“I’ve got a platform,” Cameron said in the interview. “This is something we’ve really got to think about, talk about and if necessary, act on.”