Lord Jeffrey Archer has given fans an update on his prostate cancer battle and issued an impassioned plea for men to get checked. The 86-year-old author, who has sold more than 300 million books over a career spanning five decades, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013 after a routine blood test revealed a slightly high PSA level.
Appearing on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, he discussed his current health with host Jon Kay and urged “macho men” not to avoid testing.
Urgent plea to men
Archer, a former MP, called Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy a “great man” after Kay mentioned Hoy's own prostate cancer diagnosis. Hoy revealed in 2024 that his cancer had spread to his bones, giving him between two and four years to live.
“I've been very aware of how lucky I am. I say to anybody listening - go to your doctor and check your PSA [Prostate Specific Antigen],” Archer urged. “There are too many stupid men who say, 'Oh no, I'm a macho guy, I don't do that sort of thing, I won't be checking my PSA'. Check your PSA.”
Health update and final novel
When asked how he is doing, Archer said he is “fine” and demonstrated his good health by swiftly getting up from his chair and sitting back down. Telling Kay he is 86, he joked that the movement is one of his “big exercises of the day”.
Archer had a biopsy after his PSA test, which confirmed cancer. He went on to have a four-hour operation to remove the whole prostate and the cancer. Writing in The Mail on Sunday about his recovery, he recalled having to wear “large nappies” and feeling like he had “become a baby again”.
Archer made the comments while discussing his final book Adam & Eve, which will be released in October to coincide with the 50th anniversary of his career as a novelist.
No retirement plans
Asked what retirement will look like now that he has written his final novel, Archer joked: “I shall not be retiring, you clearly haven't been listening to a word that's said to you, Jon!” When Kay pointed out he was “semi-retiring”, especially from writing, the author admitted: “I suppose it is. I hadn't thought of it that way. You've caught me, Jon. I'll be pathetic.”
Kay suggested Adam & Eve won't be the last novel he writes, to which Archer replied: “No, sir. But you can interview me when I do.”
