Jon Holmes, the Bafta-winning comedy writer known for co-creating Radio 4’s Dead Ringers, has drawn on his personal experience with prostate cancer to raise awareness about the disease and its complexities. Diagnosed at age 54 in 2023, Holmes underwent robot-assisted prostatectomy after elevated PSA levels led to further investigation. Now cancer-free at 57, he continues to advocate for greater education among men about prostate cancer, its treatment options, and the potential for recurrence.

Holmes initially opted for surgical removal of his prostate, believing this would mark the end of his cancer battle. However, he later learned that prostate cancer can recur even after the gland’s removal, necessitating ongoing PSA tests to monitor for residual cancer cells left in the prostate bed. “Prostate cancer really can come back from the dead,” Holmes said, emphasizing the importance of continued vigilance.

To deepen public understanding, Holmes has partnered with private cancer treatment provider GenesisCare UK to produce a quiz-style podcast called The Big C QuizCast. The series combines humor with expert commentary to help patients navigate treatment pathways, dispel common misconceptions, and highlight newer options such as MRI-guided stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR). This advanced radiotherapy technique has shown high cure rates and the potential to preserve quality of life by minimizing side effects such as incontinence and sexual dysfunction.

Despite high-profile cases including TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson bringing prostate cancer into public focus, research indicates that nearly half of men feel insufficiently informed about their treatment options. Many mistakenly believe surgery guarantees a cure, although studies reveal a recurrence rate of 16% to 46% following prostate removal. Factors contributing to this knowledge gap include fear, embarrassment, confusion, and feeling overwhelmed by information upon diagnosis.

Dr. Yae-eun Suh, consultant clinical oncologist at GenesisCare UK, stresses the need for patients to consider what matters most to them when choosing treatment. She noted that modern radiotherapy offers excellent five-year PSA control rates—around 96% according to large trials—and is often associated with better preservation of sexual function compared to surgery.

Holmes, who also created BBC Radio 4’s award-winning satirical news show The Skewer, credits a public health campaign featuring Stephen Fry for prompting him to seek medical advice. Despite multiple prior promotions encouraging men over 50 to get tested, Holmes had initially ignored the messages until Fry’s endorsement motivated him to contact his GP. Although routine screening is not standard due to PSA test limitations, his doctor agreed to see him after inquiring about family history, an important step in Holmes’s diagnosis given that he was adopted and unaware of any genetic risk.

Following diagnosis, Holmes underwent a five-hour operation using a robotic system controlled via virtual reality, marking a turning point in his life and inspiring his first eight-part podcast, Jon Holmes Says The C-Word. The series featured candid conversations with other well-known figures affected by cancer, blending humor and honesty to confront taboos and encourage open discussion.

Since then, Holmes has received messages from listeners credited with prompting men to get tested, in some cases leading to earlier diagnoses and life-saving interventions. He hopes his ongoing work will similarly empower men to ask questions, seek information, and engage in frank dialogue about prostate cancer.

Holmes advises men, especially white men over 50 and Black men over 45, to undergo regular testing regardless of symptoms, as there is no routine national screening program. He encourages asking healthcare providers for PSA tests and emphasizes that no question is too trivial when navigating treatment options.

“Cancer is overwhelming and scary, and it’s easy to switch off when you hear the word,” Holmes said. “But the more we talk about it, the better prepared we are to face it, make informed decisions, and support each other through it.”