Former Footballer John Barnes Shares Prostate Cancer Journey
John Barnes, a former Liverpool and England forward, has opened up about his experience with prostate cancer. He revealed that he had his prostate removed after being diagnosed with the disease. Barnes shared that he only learned about his condition after his children encouraged him to get checked.
“In my case, I found out because my kids pushed me to get it done,” Barnes said in an interview on Times Radio. “Men have to then bite the bullet and swallow their pride and admit if they have problems and say it. So it’s a good thing that that has come out.”
The 62-year-old emphasized the importance of men addressing health issues without letting pride stand in the way. “I’m fine. I have my PSA and everything is OK. The thing about it is that a lot of men don’t want to admit it or want to have it done because it makes them feel less than a man. But you’re not, you’re exactly the same, you’re the same person and you’re around and that’s the main thing.”
Barnes’s revelation came on the same day as another shocking update from fellow Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish. Dalglish accidentally posted about his own cancer diagnosis on social media before quickly deleting the message. He later clarified the situation, expressing his desire for privacy.
“As my inadvertent social media post has indicated, I am currently undergoing treatment for cancer. Unlike my mobile phone use, the treatment is going well. Ideally, this would have remained private because that’s the way it should be, but my useless technology skills have forced my hand. Obviously I did not mean to make this matter public so I would appreciate it if the privacy of my family and myself are respected. 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.”
A Legacy on the Pitch
Barnes joined Liverpool in 1987 from Watford and went on to make 407 appearances for the club, scoring 108 goals. During his time at Anfield, he was part of the team that won two league titles in the 1987–88 and 1989–90 seasons, as well as two FA Cups and one League Cup.
He earned 79 caps for England, representing the country in both the 1986 and 1990 World Cups. His career was marked by his skill as a left winger and his contributions to some of the most memorable moments in football history.
Government Initiatives and Awareness
Earlier this year, the government announced a significant investment of over £20 million to improve prostate cancer research and treatment. This funding also aimed to increase access to a major trial for black men, inviting those aged between 45 and 74 to participate in a prostate cancer screening initiative.
Barnes praised the initiative, calling it a “good thing” for raising awareness and improving early detection. He highlighted the importance of such efforts in helping more men take control of their health.
A Friendship on and Off the Pitch
Barnes and Dalglish played together at Liverpool between 1987 and 1990. Dalglish, who also managed the club from 1985 until 1991, was instrumental in signing Barnes for the Reds. The pair later worked together at Celtic, with Barnes serving as manager from 1999 to 2000, while Dalglish acted as director of football.
