Director Steve McQueen Reveals Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Delayed ‘Blitz’ Filming By Two Weeks

Exactly two years ago today (Nov. 14), Steve McQueen had a cancerous tumor in his prostate removed.

The Oscar-winning filmmaker revealed his diagnosis to Deadline in an exclusive interview, but first ensured that he’s now “fully recovered and fully functional.” The confession came ahead of his speech to U.K. lawmakers as he launches his new charitable campaign dedicated to Prostate Cancer Research.

McQueen’s father, Philbert, died of prostate cancer in 2006 and he “knew there could be a hereditary situation whereby [he] could develop [it].” This led to him getting regular MRI scans to check for prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

Ahead of filming Blitz, the 12 Years a Slave director’s doctors “discovered that I had developed this cancer, this tumor, a small tumor, and therefore obviously caught it very, very, early. I delayed the shoot by two weeks and then had the procedure.”

McQueen was hospitalized for two days and then recovered at home for twelve days. He admittedly didn’t want to concern his cast or crew and “was just doing stuff in bed on the computer, working, emailing and whatever, but I kept it private at that stage.” 

He only told his mother, sister, and close family, stating, “And that was it. I really just wanted to get on with the job. And that’s kind of like who I am. I’m a ‘get on with it’ kind of person.” He returned to work and never divulged the reason behind his absence.

Now, he’s urging others to get tested regularly because early detection saved his life. “The cancer’s gone and that’s down to early detection. Early detection means virtually a hundred percent success rate. Again, it’s a cancer that if you detect early, it’s totally survivable,” said McQueen.

McQueen also shot a new short film for his Proactive for Your Prostrate campaign, which is set to launch later this month.

Charlie Wilson has also been vocal about getting screened for things such as prostate cancer after his 2008 diagnosis. “I survived prostate cancer and I want all the fellas out there to know that early detection is the key to living a healthy life,” he once stated.