Prince Philip in prostate health scare

Andrew Pierce
London Telegraph
Wednesday, Aug 6, 2008

The Prince, 87, is understood to be suffering from the condition that affects around 60 per cent of men of his age and is undergoing regular blood tests.

However Buckingham Palace broke its usual silence on such issues to rigerously deny reports that he has been diagnosed with cancer.

“The Duke of Edinburgh has authorised us to confirm that the claim made by the Evening Standard that he has received a ‘diagnosis of prostate cancer’ is untrue,” the statement said.

Doctors are thought to have discovered the problem when he was admitted to the King Edward VII hospital with a chest infection in April.

At least half men of Prince Philip's age have prostate cancer which can be treated without aggressive radiotherapy or hormone therapy. However doctors often prefer not to intervene at all as the disease can be slow growing and presents little risk unless it spreads to other areas of the body..

Prince Philip was admitted to the King Edward VII hospital for three days in April after a severe cold turned into a chest infection. He has enjoyed robust health and rarely had a day off. He underwent minor surgery in 1996 to cut a small benign mass from his nose.

He maintains a busy schedule attending more than 360 engagements a year and has been in Cowes on the Isle of Wight this week on official duties.
SOURCE: London Telegraph