Duran Duran rocker Andy Taylor missed HOF induction because of prostate cancer complications
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My favorite awards show is HBO’s annual taped four-hour telecast of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and accompanying performances.
But there was some melancholy news associated with this year’s class of inductees: the revelation that Duran Duran’s original guitarist, Andy Taylor, 61, had been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer four years ago. He was planning to reunite with his bandmates but had suffered a recent setback and was unable to attend last month’s event at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Calif.
After the group’s performance, lead singer Simon Le Bon spoke to the audience: “There are two of our band members being inducted who sadly cannot be here. Warren Cuccurullo, extraordinary guitar player. He made a massive contribution to Duran Duran.
“And then there’s Andy Taylor, our original guitarist. Andy has written an open letter to us. I’m going to read some of it now:
“‘What an absolute honor it was to be nominated, let alone be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. There’s nothing that comes close to such recognition. You can dream about what happened to us but to experience it, on one’s own terms, as mates, was beyond incredible.
“‘Just over four years ago, I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer. Many families have experienced the slow burn of this disease, and of course, we are no different, so I speak from the perspective of a family man, but with profound humility to the band, the greatest fans a group could have, and this exceptional accolade. I’m truly sorry and massively disappointed I couldn’t make it.
“‘Let there be no doubt I was stoked about the whole thing — even bought a new guitar with the essential whammy! I’m so very proud of these four brothers, I’m amazed at their durability, and I’m overjoyed at accepting this award. I often doubted the day would come. I’m sure as hell glad I’m around to see the day.’”
Understanding prostate cancer
As men age, the likelihood of developing prostate cancer — whether one has a family history or not — increases.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, approximately 1 in 8 men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetimes.
“About 70% of prostate cancer patients don’t show symptoms,” says Wellington urologist Dr. Diego Rubinowicz. “Occasionally patients have urinary issues — frequency, pain, blood, etc. — but usually those are related to BPH (benign prostate hyperplasia), not cancer.”
The way prostate cancer often first becomes apparent is via a prostatic specific antigen (PSA) test. The test detects a molecule that is specific to the prostate gland and can be measured in the bloodstream.
Rubinowicz notes, however, that “the PSA is not diagnostic of a condition but rather is intended to screen and/or assess risk.”
In other words, a low PSA score does not necessarily mean a man is cancer-free and a high PSA score does not necessarily mean a man has prostate cancer.
Rubinowicz says there are many conditions, other than cancer, that can cause an elevated PSA score:
Urinary tract infection
Instrumentation or procedures of the urinary tract
A cold, flu or other viral illness, other acute illness
Recent vaccination (including COVID-19)
Recent ejaculation or sexual stimulation
BPH
Prostate inflammation (prostatitis)
When it comes to prostate cancer screening, most doctors are looking for changes in a patient’s PSA score. If there is a dramatic increase, that’s when there should be further testing.
Among the most prevalent treatments for early-stage prostate cancer are robotic surgery and/or radiation therapy.
Other recently developed treatments — which most insurance plans do not cover — include cryoablation and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).
Stage 4 prostate cancer
According to Rubinowicz, a stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis “indicates spread beyond the prostate gland into the lymph nodes or other organs in the body. It is an uncommon diagnosis as most prostate cancers present at an earlier stage.”
Rubinowicz stresses that, when detected early, prostate cancer “is very treatable. That is why early detection is crucial.”
For a stage 4 condition like Taylor’s, Rubinowicz says “the treatment is centered around controlling and preventing further spread of the cancer cells.”
Typically, a stage 4 prostate cancer patient is given hormone therapy to deprive the cancer cells of testosterone (which is the hormone cancer cells use as sustenance and to further grow and metastasize).
In a full version of Taylor’s letter that is on Duran Duran’s website, he wrote that “recently I was doing okay after some very sophisticated life extending treatment” but “a week or so ago ... I suffered a setback.”
Rubinowicz says some stage 4 patients may benefit from androgen deprivation — and adds “there are a number of new alternative treatments for advanced stages, including new chemotherapy protocols.”
Unfortunately, hormonal treatment for stage 4 prostate cancer includes many potential side effects — including decreased energy, decreased libido, fatigue, hot flashes, decreased bone density and an increased risk for cardiovascular complications.
Rubinowicz says that “prostate cancer detected at stage 4 has a low five-year survival rate — around 30%.”
That said, Duran Duran fans can take some comfort in knowing that Taylor sounds relatively upbeat — though realistic — about his prognosis, noting that “although my current condition is not immediately life-threatening there is no cure.”
PROSTATE CANCER STATS AND FACTS
According to the CDC, out of every 100 American men, about 13 will get prostate cancer during their lifetime, and about 3 out of 100 men will die from it.
Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. More than 190,000 men are diagnosed annually.
Prostate cancer is more likely to develop in older men and in African American men. (1 in 6 African American men get prostate cancer).
About 6 cases in 10 are diagnosed in men who are 65 or older. The average age at diagnosis is about 66.
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men after behind lung cancer.
Men with a family history of prostate cancer face a two to three times higher risk of developing the disease during their lifetime.
Studies show prostate cancer risk may double for heavy smokers. Obesity also is known to increase a man’s risk of dying from prostate cancer.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: andy taylor duran duran metastatic prostate cancer
