ENGLAND legend John Barnes has shared a health update after bravely announcing his prostate cancer diagnosis.
The famous left-winger revealed earlier this month that he was diagnosed after his kids forced him to get checked.
Ex-footy star John Barnes has given an update after revealing his prostate cancer diagnosis Credit: ITV
Barnes playing for England against USSR at Wembley Stadium in 1984 Credit: Getty – Contributor
Barnes, 62 and now a pundit for ESPN, has now disclosed that he hadn’t intended for his diagnosis to become public knowledge, but is encouraging other men to seek medical checks.
The former England star said previously that the topic can feel taboo as men believe it makes them “less than a man”.
Speaking to Ranvir Singh and Ed Balls on Good Morning Britain today, he said: “It was strange because it wasn’t supposed to come out.
“I got diagnosed with prostate cancer about four years ago now, and my father died of prostate cancer, my mother lived in Jamaica, my sisters were in America.
Barnes made his England debut in 1983 and played with the team for 12 years Credit: Getty
Barnes is considered one of England’s greatest left-footed players Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
“She was in her 80s so we didn’t want my mother to know so we never said anything, we didn’t want her to worry about her baby son.
“Her husband died of prostate cancer so we weren’t going to say anything.
That was four years ago, then my mum passed away about a year ago, and because it had been three years, I didn’t even think about it.”
Discussing the consequences of revealing his diagnosis, Barnes told GMB: “The impact it has had, it’s been a great impact.”
He continued: “A lot of men die with prostate cancer, not from it but with it.
“So when they do the autopsy you have prostate cancer. It’s important for us to do it, important for us to know and important for us to be less macho about it.”
Barnes’ shock comes after two other legends Sir Kenny Dalglish and also shared that they had the deadly disease.
Every year 64,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK and 12,000 men die, making it the most common cancer for men.
Considered one of the greatest players of all time, Barnes was born in Jamaica and moved to London aged 12.
He joined Watford at age 17 and played 296 competitive games for the club before moving to Liverpool in 1987.
In 1983 the football legend debuted for England and made 78 appearances until his final game in 1995.
While Barnes was playing for Liverpool, the team topped the First Division twice and won the twice.
He scored 106 goals in 403 matches – more than any other black England player.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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