Director Steve McQueen Reveals Prostate Cancer Battle, Encourages Black Men to Get Screened

Oscar-winning filmmaker Steve McQueen celebrated for films like 12 Years a Slave, has revealed that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022.

In a recent interview with Deadline, McQueen shared that he is now "fully recovered and fully functional" after undergoing surgery to remove a tumor in November of that year.

McQueen is disclosing his experience to raise awareness about prostate cancer, particularly within the Black community. “One in four Black men will get prostate cancer, and one in twelve Black men will die of prostate cancer,” McQueen stated.

Having lost his father, Philbert McQueen, to the disease in 2006, McQueen has long been vigilant with regular screenings, knowing that early detection could make a critical difference.

In 2021, McQueen created a film to raise awareness about prostate cancer. Sir Steve McQueen partnered with the Male Cancer Awareness Campaign and British brand Belstaff to create Embarrassed, a short but powerful film targeting prostate cancer awareness, especially within the Black community.

The two-minute film features famous Black actors, including Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Morgan Freeman and Micheal Ward, each addressing the camera against a stark white background, delivering an urgent message that tackles the stigma around prostate health.

McQueen delayed the filming of Blitz, his upcoming wartime drama, by two weeks to undergo surgery. “It was challenging, but I count myself as one of the lucky ones. I’m also fortunate enough to have a loving family to support me,” McQueen said.

Despite the diagnosis, he returned to set within weeks, keeping the details private to avoid concerns on set.

Statistics reveal that Black men are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer, facing higher rates of both diagnosis and mortality compared to other groups. McQueen’s message reinforces the importance of proactive health screenings: "I was preempting the situation for years, and that was my savior. So, just preempt it and get it early,” he urged.

Let this be a sign for you to speak to your doctor about prostate cancer.