A Journey of Diagnosis and Awareness
Jon Holmes, the co-creator of Dead Ringers, has shared a deeply personal story about his battle with prostate cancer. His journey highlights not only the emotional challenges of receiving such a diagnosis but also the importance of early detection and awareness.
Jon, who is 57 years old, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023 after being encouraged by Stephen Fry, who had faced the same disease in 2017, to get checked. The decision to seek medical attention came as a result of his unique circumstances — Jon is adopted, which ultimately led to his testing and early diagnosis.
Telling the Kids About the Diagnosis
Jon shared an emotional moment when he informed his daughters, Isla and Maisie, about his condition. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he described how he approached the conversation with honesty and clarity. “They were very upfront about the level of it, and they were very sort of, ‘You’re not going to die,’ which is the first thing I said to my kids when I told them.”
He explained that his daughters already had some understanding of cancer due to friends who had survived the disease and a close friend who had passed away from it. This background helped them process the news more easily.
Jon recalled the moment he told them: “I told them in the kitchen and just said, ‘look, I’ve been for some tests.’ I didn’t tell them during the process, but when it was diagnosed. I’ve been for some tests, it turns out I’ve got cancer, but it’s in a place that’s fixable.”
Despite the gravity of the situation, the youngest daughter simply asked, “Right, is that it? Can I have an apple?” That light-hearted response reflected the family’s resilience and ability to find moments of normalcy amidst uncertainty.
Facing Mortality and Making Plans
After undergoing a radical prostatectomy, Jon admitted that the thought of death still crossed his mind. He said, “I think you find yourself confronting mortality because there’s always a ‘what if’ isn’t there.” As a result, he made a will the day before his surgery, something he had never done before.
“I organised that the day before my surgery because I’d never done it before. It does make you realise that you only get one shot at this, I suppose, which is a cliché, I know, but it puts stuff into perspective a bit.”
A Successful Recovery and New Mission
Thankfully, the surgery was successful, and in July 2024, Jon confirmed he was cancer-free. However, he acknowledges that his story could have ended very differently had he not decided to get tested three years earlier.
Jon admitted he had been too busy to consider getting checked initially. Despite having no symptoms, he was eventually able to get a blood test because he is adopted. His GP explained that there is no national screening programme for prostate cancer, unlike breast cancer, where women are routinely tested.
“I spoke to the GP, who said there isn’t a national screening programme for this. So what you’re seeing is some awareness campaign, but actually there isn’t a programme where men over 50 get tested.”
However, when Jon mentioned that he had no family history of the disease due to being adopted, the doctor agreed to run the test. “In that case, let’s get you in,” the GP said, leading to his diagnosis.
Promoting Awareness and Education
To encourage more men to get tested, Jon has partnered with GenesisCare for the new Mind the Gap campaign. The initiative aims to highlight gaps in understanding around prostate cancer treatment options.
The campaign includes an infographic outlining available treatments and how decisions can affect future options if the cancer returns. Jon, who underwent a prostatectomy, admitted he had no idea that the cancer could come back, which happens in 20 to 50 per cent of cases.
Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, with more than 63,000 new cases every year. To support patients and their families, GenesisCare is launching a new quizcast, The Big C QuizCast, hosted by Jon.
Jon said: “It’s a simplification of a process and filling what is essentially a knowledge gap because there’s stuff I didn’t know, even now. Ask all of the questions, go through whatever treatment, ask for all the options so you’ve got a choice — and an informed one.”
For more information on navigating your prostate cancer treatment pathway, visit https://www.genesiscare.com/uk/mind-the-gap.
