Ian McKellen diagnosed with prostate cancer “six or seven years ago”

The hobbit star said he hadn’t had any treatment since he was diagnosed with cancer but it is regularly examined and contained.

13:24 12 December 2012

In a shocking revelation, Sir Ian Mckellen has confirmed that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer “six or seven years ago.” However, the actor isn’t worried, at least not at the moment. He says that although he hadn’t had any treatment for the disease, it is regular monitored and it is contained.

 

He said, as quoted by The Sun: “You do gulp when you hear the news. It's like when you go for an HIV test, you go ‘Arghhh, is this the end of the road?’

 

“They say you have cancer of the prostate and then that you can have it zapped.

 

“You can have it snipped but you are not a candidate for that. You are waitful watching.”

 

The 73-year-old Hobbit star discovered he had cancer when he noticed the need to go to the bathroom more frequently during the night. The actor doesn’t have an immediate plan on getting treatment, saying it’s “no big deal.”

 

He explained: “When you have got it you monitor it and you have to be careful it doesn't spread. But if it is contained in the prostate it's no big deal.”

 

The actor made the shocking revelation as he prepares for the The Hobbit: An Unexepected Journey London premiere on Wednesday night, where he will be joined by co-stars Elijah Wood, Martin Freeman, Andy Serkis, Cate Blanchett, Sir Ian Holm CBE, Sylvester McCoy, Sir Christopher Lee CBE, and director Peter Jackson.