Liverpool and England icon John Barnes says that talking about Sir Kenny Dalglish and Kevin Keegan’s recent cancer diagnoses persuaded him to come forward to help others
John Barnes says that he opened up about his prostate cancer experience because of the diagnoses of fellow Liverpool legend’s Sir Kenny Dalglish and Kevin Keegan.
The former England star, who recently revealed he had privately battled and recovered from prostate cancer following surgery, says he now hopes that he can now be an example to other players and fans to get checked out.
Speaking to the Daily Star, Barnes said: “I didn’t need to say anything. I’ve been clear for years. I only came out the other day because I was talking about Kevin Keegan and [Sir] Kenny Dalglish.”
Ex-Liverpool winger Barnes reckons lots of footie fans and players worry they will be seen as less “macho” if they are diagnosed with prostate cancer.
While prostate cancer rarely impacts testosterone levels, the therapy used to treat it can reduce testosterone and cause side effects including fatigue, reduced sex drive and erectile dysfunction.
Barnes, who won two league titles and two FA Cups while at Anfield, said: “Because of [conceptions of] macho men, you don’t want to say… you are lacking testosterone if you had [prostate cancer]. There is a bit of stigma.”
However, the former Watford man says it’s vital that blokes speak up and get checked, adding: “We’d much rather have you here than not.”
Prostate cancer is highly treatable when caught early, making regular checks and early diagnosis crucial.
For Barnes, who was promoting Pukka Pies’ new chicken vindaloo, it is a case of “the more men who get checked and the more who come out and say they have prostate cancer, the more lives we can save.”
Barnes’ encouragement comes after the diagnoses of both Kevin Keegan and Sir Kenny Dalglish were made public.
Former England captain and manager Keegan recently revealed he is battling stage four cancer after developing ongoing abdominal symptoms.
Dalglish, who signed Barnes as Liverpool manager, revealed he was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, describing the process as “going well”.
In a post on social media, he wrote: “As ever, thank you to the wonderful medical staff who have shown incredible care and discretion, not just for me but for many, many others. They are a credit to themselves.”
Dalglish’s former club Liverpool released a statement wishing their former captain and manager well, saying “the support, best wishes and love of everyone at Liverpool FC are, and will continue to be, with Sir Kenny and his family.”
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