By Dan Laurie

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A prostate cancer charity has responded to a “hugely important” Emmerdale storyline featuring Dr Liam Cavanagh, played by actor Jonny McPherson.

During Tuesday’s (September 16) episode of the ITV soap, the village doctor reveals his concerns about his prostate health to Claudette Anderson (Flo Wilson), who urges him to get tested by another medical professional.

Liam was embarrassed when Claudette found him urinating at the allotment. Calling Claudette to the Woolpack backroom, Liam explained that he’s been having issues holding in wees.

On hearing this, Claudette was adamant he’s got a problem. As Liam tried to shrug off his issues, Claudette forcibly encouraged him to book an appointment to get checked.

On behalf of Prostate Cancer Research, David James, Director of Patient Projects and Influencing , said: “Changes to the way you pee – such as needing to go more frequently and urgently – are a warning sign that something might not be right with your prostate health.

As a GP, Liam knew that getting tested was the right thing to do, and if you’ve noticed any changes to urination – including blood in the urine – erectile dysfunction or lower back pain, I’d urge you to ask your GP for a prostate cancer test too.

“But prostate cancer often has no symptoms in the early stages, and there’s no national screening programme currently in place in the UK. This is why so many men are only diagnosed in the late stages of the disease, when it’s much more difficult to treat.

At Prostate Cancer Research, we’re calling for the introduction of a targeted national screening programme, so men at high risk of prostate cancer can be diagnosed early and treated quickly”. More information on this campaign can be found here.

Next week, Claudette urges Liam to put off things in order to attend the appointment for his prostate but Liam instead gets her to cancel his appointment. Despite Claudette’s urgent pleas over the next few days, Liam fails to rebook it.

However, matters soon reaches a head when Manpreet Sharma (Rebecca Sarker) witnesses a desperate Dr Liam relieving himself in his own consulting room hand basin and realises something is seriously wrong.

With her interference, Liam faces the truth and knowing he can’t hide from his fears or what his symptoms may indicate he finally comes clean to Chas Dingle (Lucy Parter). who is devastated to hear he fears a prostate cancer diagnosis.

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 at 7.30pm and available to stream from 7am on ITVX