Ben Stiller discloses prostate cancer diagnosis
Ben Stiller poses for photographers at the screening of Zoolander 2 at a cinema in central London Reuters/Dylan Martinez/File Photo

American funny man Ben Stiller has revealed that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer back in 2014, speaking in detail about the test that ultimately saved him from death.

The actor/filmmaker, famous for starring in such films as “There’s Something About Mary,” “Zoolander” and “Tropic Thunder,” gave credit to the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test for the early detection and diagnosis of his condition.

“I was able to wrap my head around the fact that I was incredibly fortunate,” Stiller wrote in an online article published on Medium.

“Fortunate because my cancer was detected early enough to treat. And also because my internist gave me a test he didn’t have to.”

PSA tests are considered inadvisable for screening as they often end up with questionable results, leading to unneeded treatments. Stiller acknowledged the controversial test as the reason why he wrote his essay. Stiller said that there are a lot of debates regarding safety issues and various interpretations of the test’s studies.

"I am not offering a scientific point of view here, just a personal one, based on my experience."

Stiller’s essay was published online after he and his doctor, Edward Schaeffer, showed up on "The Howard Stern Show" on Tuesday. They wanted to spread awareness that men should start doing tests early rather than wait until they are 50 years old, which is the norm. He did the test at 46.

Watch Ben Stiller on 'The Howard Stern Show'

The Hollywood actor could not be more thankful for the services of his doctor. Dr. Schaeffer disregarded the US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines and insisted on the test. Stiller says he is cancer free for two years now.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia endorses PSA testing for males over the age of 50, with baseline procedures done to those in their forties.

In order to assure himself that all hope was not lost, Stiller searched for men who have had prostate cancer on Google. He felt “relatively optimistic” when he saw names like John Kerry, Robert DeNiro and Joe Torre.

Stiller is married to actress Christine Taylor. They have two children, a daughter named Ella Olivia and a son named Quinlin Dempsey.

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