John Barnes reveals prostate cancer diagnosis and surgery in call for greater awareness

John Barnes has revealed that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent surgery to have his prostate removed, disclosing the news publicly for the first time during an appearance on Times Radio.

The former Liverpool and England winger, 62, said the diagnosis had been largely private until now. “I’ve had prostate cancer, I’ve had my prostate out, not many people know and it’s a bit of a taboo subject,” Barnes said. He added that he is now “fine” following the procedure.

Barnes used the disclosure to draw a contrast between public attitudes toward breast cancer and prostate cancer, arguing that men face a cultural barrier that discourages them from coming forward. “We support women with breast cancer and it’s not even an issue,” he said. “Whereas with men, the government say, ‘yeah, prostate cancer, we need more awareness, we need people to come forward and in black men it’s more prevalent’. Men have to then bite the bullet and swallow their pride and admit if they have problems and say it.”

He also addressed the stigma specifically tied to treatment, which he said prevents some men from seeking help. “A lot of men don’t want to admit it or want to have it done because it makes them feel less than a man. But you’re not, you’re exactly the same, you’re the same person and you’re around and that’s the main thing.”

Barnes spent a decade at Liverpool, where he became one of the most celebrated wingers of his generation, and earned 79 caps for England during his international career. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK, and research indicates that Black men are statistically at higher risk of developing the disease than the general population.