Steve McQueen reveals he paused filming Blitz due to prostate cancer treatment

Oscar-winning film director and artist Steve McQueen has revealed he has paused filming of his latest production Blitz to receive treatment for prostate cancer.

McQueen, whose father died from the disease in 2006, has spoken for the first time about his own treatment, which led to the removal of a tumor in November 2022.

He said: “As a black man, I knew the risk was even greater. I had been proactive about getting tested for a number of years. I underwent regular MRI scans and PSA tests. Fortunately, my cancer was discovered very early.”

McQueen postponed production of Blitz for two weeks before returning, not telling the cast and crew so they wouldn’t be distracted. “It was a challenge, but I consider myself one of the lucky ones. I am also fortunate to have a loving and supportive family,” he said.

McQueen, who has made a full recovery, released the statement after attending an event at the House of Commons in support of prostate cancer research.

David Lammy, the foreign secretary, Josh Babarinde, a Liberal Democrat MP, and Conservative former minister James Cleverly co-hosted the event, which launched an inquiry into prostate cancer. report advocates a targeted national screening program for prostate cancer.

The main focus of the campaign is to address the disproportionate impact of the disease on Black men, while also trying to reduce the high number of undiagnosed cases.

Earlier this year, scientists discovered genetic mutations that could help explain why black men are at greater risk of developing prostate cancer than men of other ethnicities. Black men are twice as likely to be diagnosed and 2.5 times more likely to die from the disease than white men.

More than a million men worldwide are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. Survival rates are relatively good: many can live for decades without symptoms or treatment.

McQueen said: “If the disease is detected early, survival rates are extremely high, but if diagnosed late, survival rates drop dramatically. That is why I am speaking out today. It is vital that we address the urgent need for a national prostate cancer screening program – a step that could save countless lives if only we had the political will to make it happen. It’s terrible that so many men have to do this alone.”