Emotional Kym Marsh reveals her dad can no longer have chemotherapy amid terminal cancer battle – with the goal now to ‘make lots of memories’

Kym Marsh has revealed her father David is nearing the end of his terminal cancer battle. 

The singer, 47, announced in June 2021 that her dad was diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer after delaying going to a doctor during lockdown.

She has been giving BBC Morning Live viewers regular updates on his progress but took time off from the show recently in order to spend quality time with her dad. 

Host Gethin Jones said on Thursday’s show: ‘I know you’ve been spending quite a lot of time with your dad recently. 

‘We know Dave really well on Morning Live and the reason you’ve been spending time with him is because you’ve had some bad news, haven’t you?’

Heartbreaking: Emotional Kym Marsh revealed her father can longer have chemotherapy as she issued an upsetting update on Thursday’s BBC Morning Live

Tragic news: The singer, 47, announced in June 2021 that her dad was diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer after delaying going to a doctor during lockdown 

Kim responded: ‘Yes, Morning Live has been following dad’s cancer diagnosis which was about two-and-a-half years ago I think now and his latest scan results have shown, unfortunately, that there are more cancer deposits further up his spine now.

‘They are doing further scans to see if it’s gone into any more of his bones but unfortunately they can’t offer him chemotherapy.’

‘So they advised us to go and spend lots of time with him and make lots of memories. 

‘So that’s what we’ve been doing, we went out on Halloween to a lights trail and he’s just been enjoying spending time with his family.’

Gethin pointed out that Dave always watches the show from home and announced: ‘We send him all our love, and hopefully we’ll see him very soon.’

On Father’s Day, Kim surprised Dave with an ice cream tattoo tribute on her forearm because he has an ‘obsession’ with sweet treats since his cancer diagnosis. 

The former Coronation Street star shared the sweet moment she unveiled the artwork for the first time to her dad. 

She wrote: ‘So…..I’ve had a new tattoo for my dad!!! Since his incurable cancer diagnosis he has been obsessed with ice cream! He literally has one every day!

‘So I got an ice cream on the inside of my forearm for him to remind me of my wonderful dad. Every time I look at it!! He’s the best ever! Love you dad.’

Sweet: On Father’s Day, Kim surprised Dave with an ice cream tattoo tribute on her forearm because he has an ‘obsession’ with sweet treats since his cancer diagnosis

Delayed: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Dave initially delayed having a check-up with his GP despite experiencing pain and other symptoms, leading to his late diagnosis 

Kym shared a gallery of selfies to her social media grid to mark Father’s Day and gushed that her dad ‘inspires her daily’. 

She penned: ‘Happy Father’s Day to the legend that is my dad. Dad you inspire me daily. Your strength in life has always been immeasurable. 

‘You tackle everything life throws at you with a smile on your face and always a joke at hand. You are the best dad anyone could wish for and I’m so glad you are mine.

‘Here’s to you poppa bear! Always your shadow. Love you always and forever.’

The Waterloo Road star revealed her father had been diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer in 2021 following a PSA test, a blood test which helps to detect the disease.

She said: ‘I think a normal level is between two and four and dad’s was well over thousand, so they knew something wasn’t right.’

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Dave initially delayed having a check-up with his GP despite experiencing pain and other symptoms. 

Kym continued: ‘Dad knew how busy the NHS was with the pandemic and didn’t want to be a burden so put off going to the doctors.

‘Unfortunately, by the time he did go and the cancer was found it had spread into his leg, rib, pelvis and spine.

‘The diagnosis was devastating for all of us but he’s received the best care possible since.’

WHAT IS PROSTATE CANCER?

How many people does it kill? 

More than 11,800 men a year – or one every 45 minutes – are killed by the disease in Britain, compared with about 11,400 women dying of breast cancer.

It means prostate cancer is behind only lung and bowel in terms of how many people it kills in Britain. 

In the US, the disease kills 26,000 men each year.

Despite this, it receives less than half the research funding of breast cancer and treatments for the disease are trailing at least a decade behind.

How many men are diagnosed annually?

Every year, upwards of 52,300 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK – more than 140 every day.   

How quickly does it develop? 

Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs someone has it for many years, according to the NHS. 

If the cancer is at an early stage and not causing symptoms, a policy of ‘watchful waiting’ or ‘active surveillance’ may be adopted. 

Some patients can be cured if the disease is treated in the early stages.

But if it is diagnosed at a later stage, when it has spread, then it becomes terminal and treatment revolves around relieving symptoms.

Thousands of men are put off seeking a diagnosis because of the known side effects from treatment, including erectile dysfunction.

Tests and treatment

Tests for prostate cancer are haphazard, with accurate tools only just beginning to emerge. 

There is no national prostate screening programme as for years the tests have been too inaccurate.

Doctors struggle to distinguish between aggressive and less serious tumours, making it hard to decide on treatment.

Men over 50 are eligible for a ‘PSA’ blood test which gives doctors a rough idea of whether a patient is at risk.

But it is unreliable. Patients who get a positive result are usually given a biopsy which is also not fool-proof. 

Scientists are unsure as to what causes prostate cancer, but age, obesity and a lack of exercise are known risks. 

Anyone with any concerns can speak to Prostate Cancer UK’s specialist nurses on 0800 074 8383 or visit prostatecanceruk.org

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