Brian hid his diagnosis from the rest of his family until Linda’s funeral had passed
Loose Women’s Coleen Nolan welcomed her brother Brian Nolan onto Monday’s (March 24) show as she discussed her shock after finding out about his cancer diagnosis just days after Linda Nolan’s funeral.
Brian, 69, was given his diagnosis of level 2 prostate cancer just three days after his sister’s funeral. Linda died earlier this year after she faced a long journey with secondary breast cancer.
Her final hours were said to have been full of “love and comfort.” In a statement, agent Dermot McNamara, said: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Linda Nolan, the celebrated Irish pop legend, television personality, Guinness World Record holding West End star, Sunday Times bestselling author and Daily Mirror columnist.
“As a member of The Nolans, one of the most successful girl groups of all time, Linda achieved global success; becoming the first Irish act to sell over a million records worldwide; touring the world and selling over 30 million records, with hits such as Gotta Pull Myself Together, Attention to Me and the iconic disco classic I’m In The Mood for Dancing.
“Her distinctive voice and magnetic stage presence brought joy to fans around the world, securing her place as an icon of British and Irish entertainment.
“Beyond her incredible career, Linda dedicated her life to helping others, helping raise over £20 million for numerous charities, including Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society and Samaritans, amongst countless others. Her selflessness and tireless commitment to making a difference in the lives of others will forever be a cornerstone of her legacy.”
Appearing on Loose Women, Brian shared that he visited the doctor after he had a “urinary problem”, but when results showed he had prostate cancer he said: “I was speechless, my wife was with me and broke down a little bit.”
He went onto praise the doctor as “amazing and put us through the ease”, and continued: “A lot of guys are afraid, we’re not very good us men… At going to the doctors and dealing with stuff that happens.
“I only went with an unrelated issue and he said you’ve come quickly and we can treat it and cure it, the tumour is contained in your prostate gland.”
Sat by his side, Coleen then added: “He went through all of that and none of us knew because at the same time he was organising everything for our sister Linda. We never at one moment think there’s something wrong with Brian.”
Brian responded: “We had all been through too much with Linda, I just thought let’s deal with what Linda wanted and then I left it three or four days and I told you all individually”, before branding it as a “great story of hope”.
He continued: “The word cancer is no longer a death sentence, most cancers are treated but the key is to just say to guys, please, please, please have your PSA once a year. The problem really is there are no symptoms and the notification is lax if anything.
“Ladies, you play a massive part in this because we are not good at this whether we like it or not. I was lucky” as he shared that his wife was the one telling him to go to the doctor.
A PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test is a blood test used to screen for prostate cancer by measuring the amount of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate gland, in your blood.
Loose Women airs on weekdays at 12:30pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
