BBC radio presenter Bill Buckley has revealed that he underwent treatment for prostate cancer using an innovative, minimally invasive technique known as High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU). He is now encouraging men to attend regular health checks, emphasizing that early diagnosis made his treatment possible.

Buckley, who has worked for BBC Radio Berkshire and BBC Radio Oxford, received HIFU as part of a clinical trial. The procedure uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to generate heat that destroys cancer cells while preserving healthy surrounding tissue.

The broadcaster said his cancer was discovered unexpectedly after he sought medical attention for severe leg pain. Doctors diagnosed him with an extensive deep vein thrombosis, and additional examinations revealed prostate cancer.

According to Buckley, he was informed of the diagnosis almost in passing while leaving the hospital, a moment he described as emotionally devastating.

After several months of monitoring, doctors determined that the tumor had grown and recommended treatment. He underwent the HIFU procedure at Wexham Park Hospital near Slough.

Buckley said the recovery was relatively quick. He spent only a few hours in hospital, wore a urinary catheter for one week, and experienced mild fatigue and soreness for several days before returning home. Six months after treatment, he says he is doing well.

The presenter believes he was fortunate to have access to the new therapy, noting that patients treated only a few years earlier often faced much more invasive procedures and longer recoveries.

He stressed the importance of routine screening, saying that early detection was crucial in allowing him to receive the targeted treatment.

Experts involved in the clinical trial say HIFU offers a more precise approach than conventional surgery because it destroys only the cancerous areas of the prostate while preserving healthy tissue. As a result, structures responsible for urinary control and erectile function are less likely to be damaged, reducing the risk of common treatment-related side effects.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in many countries and primarily affects men over the age of 50. Although it often causes no symptoms in its early stages, it is highly treatable—and frequently curable—when diagnosed early.