Jeremy Clarkson has avoided the common side effects associated with prostate cancer surgery by undergoing a cutting-edge focal therapy treatment, similar to that received by former Prime Minister David Cameron. The television presenter disclosed his diagnosis of “aggressive” prostate cancer in May 2025, which was detected early. Clarkson underwent treatment in London last August, using a method that employs high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to precisely target and destroy cancerous cells while sparing healthy tissue.

Clarkson detailed the procedure on his Amazon Prime show, explaining that ultrasound waves concentrate on the cancerous area much like a magnifying glass focusing sunlight to burn a spot on paper. This minimally invasive approach aims to eradicate only the cancerous portion of the prostate, preserving the rest of the gland and reducing risks such as erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence, complications often linked to surgery or radiotherapy.

Focal therapy, which also includes methods using cold gases or electrical pulses to generate heat or cold, has been utilized by other prominent figures including Conservative peer Sir Graham Brady. Despite its benefits, the treatment is currently available at only seven NHS hospitals, primarily in London and the South East, and is generally used for early-stage prostate cancer. It is estimated that approximately 17,000 of the 63,000 men diagnosed annually with prostate cancer in the UK could be suitable candidates for focal therapy.

Prost8 UK, a prostate cancer charity, has called for wider NHS adoption of the treatment. The charity’s founder, Paul Sayer, a prostate cancer survivor who himself underwent focal therapy, criticized the limited access to such options. He argued that the NHS “betrayed thousands of men” by continuing to rely heavily on more invasive treatments that are not always necessary, likening traditional interventions to amputating a foot to treat an ingrown toenail.

Currently, there is no national screening program for prostate cancer, and over 500,000 men in the UK are living with the disease. Of those diagnosed each year, more than 12,000 die, often due to late detection. In response, the NHS has been implementing advanced radiotherapy techniques such as stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) to improve treatment precision and reduce side effects.

An NHS spokesman noted that clinical guidance offers “limited evidence on the effectiveness of cryotherapy and high-intensity focused ultrasound” and does not support making these treatments routinely available across the health service at this time.