Princess Diana’s Butler Paul Burrell Says ‘Angel’ Diana Gave Him Strength Through Prostate Cancer Battle

“You gather strength from somewhere. I had two angels sat on my shoulders, the Princess [Diana] and the Queen. I’m thinking, ‘Are you watching?’,” he said.

“I’m going to live my life and live it large and be grateful for every day,” Burrell added.

 

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When Burrell finished his treatment and got to ring the bell, a milestone so many survivor know, he said, “I just want to thank all the staff here for their incredible professionalism,” The Daily Mail reports.

Burrell worked for the royal family for 21 years, according to Hello Magazine. During that time, he was able to develop personal relationships with many of them, especially Diana.

His prostate cancer diagnosis came about following a health checkup while preparing for “I’m a Celebrity All Stars,” a British reality TV show featuring a group of celebrities living in extreme conditions.

“I went for the medical [and] they found a raised PSA level,” Burrell said.

PSA stands for protein-specific antigen. It’s the name of a protein secreted by the prostate gland. Men have a small amount of PSA in their blood all the time but large amounts may signal that something is brewing. When cancer cells grow,  PSA spills into the blood.

“…then I had an MRI scan and then I had a biopsy and then they told me that I had cancer, and then I had to go on the path of treatment,” he added.

Prior to his diagnosis, he was “asymptomatic” U.K.-based news outlet Derbyshire Live reports. Prostate cancer may cause no signs or symptoms in its early stages according to Mayo Clinic.

Burrell said his treatment involved a two-hour-long procedure followed by hormone therapy.

“They will inject radium into my prostate. My recovery will be for the rest of that week. And then for the next three weeks I will have to go to radiotherapy appointments – to kill it from the outside as well as the inside,” he explained.

Earlier this month, Burrell announced he had completed cancer treatment and urged other men over the age of 50 to have their PSA levels checked.

Understanding Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It starts in the walnut-shaped prostate gland, which is located between the rectum and bladder and produces the fluid that nourishes sperm.

In the United States, most prostate cancer is caught with screening examinations. Prostate cancer can behave differently from one man to another.

Sometimes, it is called “low-risk” and can be slow-growing and treatment might not be necessary. In other men, the cancer may grow faster or be more aggressive and will require treatment.

Because this cancer can behave so differently from one person to the next screening and treatment decisions are individualized for each person.

A PSA test and digital rectal exam can alert your doctor to the possibility that you might have cancer. These two tests are either performed as part of prostate cancer screening or if the doctor thinks you may have prostate cancer based on any symptoms you have.

Although everyone will have these tests done the only way to definitively diagnose prostate cancer is with a biopsy.

According to the expert physicians that SurvivorNet spoke with, if you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, there is reason for hope as there are many options to successfully treat the cancer.

Over the past decade, surgical and radiation options have leaped forward in reducing side effects of treatment while still delivering excellent cure rates. For men diagnosed with advanced-stage disease, there are many new options that can treat your cancer and allow you to maintain an excellent quality of life.

Prostate Cancer Risk Factors and Symptoms

Certain factors make you more likely to develop prostate cancer. These include your:

• Age
• Race
• Family history
• Genetics

However, just because you have these risks doesn’t mean you’re destined to get this cancer.

Black men tend to get this cancer more often, develop it at a younger age, and have more aggressive forms of the disease than do men of other races. Asian-American and Hispanic/Latino men are less likely to get prostate cancer. Researchers don’t know the reason for these racial disparities.

Some symptoms of prostate cancer include:

• Blood in your urine
• Trouble getting an erection
• Pain or burning when you urinate
• Pain in your back, hips, thighs, or other bones
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue

Treating Prostate Cancer

If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, doctors will determine if you are at low, intermediate or high risk based on your PSA levels, imaging scans and a prostate exam. Your age and overall health also factor into what will be the best course of treatment for you.

Common treatment options for men with prostate cancer include:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Active surveillance
• Combination radiation therapy with hormonal therapy
• Surgery followed by radiation therapy

The reality is that most treatments are effective at curing the cancer. However, they each have different side effects that your doctors should discuss with you.

WATCH: How to avoid feeling shame after testicular cancer diagnosis.

If prostate cancer has metastasized (spread to other parts of your body), your doctor might suggest hormone therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these therapies.

Anti-androgen therapy or hormone therapy is the backbone of treatment for metastatic prostate cancer. Prostate cancer uses testosterone to grow, and these therapies turn your body’s testosterone off, slowing cancer growth.

In addition to hormone therapy, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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