DALES STAR JEFF ON HIS PROSTATE CANCER PLOT

Soap actor hopes drama will help save lives

- BY CHRISTINE SMITH

AS Emmerdale's Cain Dingle is told tonight he has prostate cancer, star Jeff Hordley admits filming the heartbreaking storyline has made him want to get a special blood test checking for warning signals for his own peace of mind.

With 64,000 new cases diagnosed in the UK a year, Jeff - who has played hardman Cain for 25 years - said: "This is the hardest story I have ever worked on throughout my time on Emmerdale because I want to make sure I get it right for the many men who are sadly affected."

The most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, predominantly in men over the age of 50, a family history of the disease also increases the risk of prostate cancer, which effects one in eight men - with the risk doubling for black men.

Often without symptoms in the early stages, a special PSA blood test can detect abnormalities and early diagnosis means a far better survival rate.

Jeff, 55, explains: "Prostate cancer can have such an enormous effect on both the person diagnosed and their family.

"I feel fortunate because my family has not been affected by the disease and thankfully a health check I had a few years ago, that included my prostate, was fine.

"But filming this storyline has made me realise how sobering the disease can be and how it affects so many. It's so important if you are in a higher risk category to get tested.

"As soon as I have my next day off, I am going to be making an appointment with my GP to have a PSA test."

Cain, like so many men in real life, failed to take a test because he lacked any of the symptoms.