Nick Owen has said that he and GB News host Anne Diamond are “emerging from the swamp” after they both were diagnosed with cancer last year. The BBC Midlands presenter was told he had aggressive prostate cancer despite his PSA readings being low and not having any symptoms.
Two months later, Nick’s former co-star Anne, 69, announced she had been diagnosed with breast cancer on the same day she found out she was to receive an MBE. Speaking to Express.co.uk, Nick, 76, said while he hasn’t spoken to Anne about her cancer journey for several weeks, she seemed to be “doing fine”.
He shared: “We’ve had parallel issues, it’s quite ironic considering we’re so associated with each other over our careers. It linked so much, she get breast cancer and I get prostate cancer which are the two main male and female cancers.
“Particularly in the early stages, we were talking to each other a lot, she was having a hard time. As I say, it’s emotional as well as all the physicality of it all and the fear, you’re terrified, really suddenly you’re told you’ve got one of these cancers which could potentially be terminal.”
Quizzed on how she was doing now, he added: “I haven’t spoken to her about that specifically for a month or two, but I think we’re emerging from the swamp. From what I gather, she’s doing fine. She will have her private moments as I do.”
A spokesperson for Anne has since told Express.co.uk: “Anne’s recovery is underway, even with a 02.30 start for her weekend Breakfast Show on GB News.”
In June, Anne announced she had been battling the disease in private for several months and had undergone a double masectomy.
She decided to open up about her health after viewers speculated over the reason for her absence on GB News.
At the time, she said: “I haven’t been on a world cruise, which is what I know social media has been saying. I’m well known now for loving cruises. It hasn’t been a world cruise.”
She continued: “It’s been a fight against breast cancer. That’s what it’s been. It’s been a long journey. And five months later, I’m still not at the end of the journey, but I’m through it enough to come back to work.”
In more happier times, Anne stepped out back in October to receive her MBE for her services to public health and charity at Buckingham Palace and has since returned to her GB News show.
For Nick, he received “very good” about his latest PSA reading and is “hopeful” all will stay clear, although admits his cancer fight has taken a toll on him emotionally.
He shared: “Day to day, I feel pretty good, it does have an affect on you though there’s no doubt about that.
“I get extremely tired that’s one thing, I’m exhausted very quickly but emotionally it affects you and it really makes you think about your own mortality and the morality of people around you, family.”
Nick is working with GenesisCare to launch the brand new Deadly Silent Podcast, which features retired NHS GP and prostate cancer survivor, Dr Kanty Patel. New research shows that as many as eight in 10 men stay quiet about their prostate cancer concerns initially, and only two per cent are aware that it can actually be treated in the space of just one week, whilst maintaining a normal lifestyle.
One in 10 also take six months to voice their concern, if they ever do, which could prevent early stages being treated. If you or a loved one are concerned about cancer or any symptoms, visit your GP at the earliest stage.
For more information on prostate cancer symptoms and treatment options visit the GenesisCare website here.
