Cellist Julian Lloyd Webber has said he feels “very grateful” following successful treatment for prostate cancer.

The 75-year-old musician announced his diagnosis in April shortly after he made his return to the concert platform following a 12-year absence due to an injury.

On Monday, he said he was “so thankful” for all the care he received following months of intensive treatment.

He added that he was shocked to learn that men over 50 can reportedly now be refused a PSA blood test which checks the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. High levels may be a sign of a prostate condition.

Current NHS guidance says routine PSA testing is not currently offered, but a doctor may offer it if they think you have symptoms. Anyone with a prostate can also ask a GP for a test.

The Telegraph reported last week that new guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will remove that right, with GPs deciding whether testing is appropriate.

Lloyd Webber said: “I am so thankful for all the expert care I received but I was shocked to learn that my request for an NHS blood test might now be refused.

“I would never have discovered that I had prostate cancer without that blood test.

“I feel very grateful and now, after my successful treatment, I can’t wait to start my Irish tour next week”.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) does not recommend screening all men for prostate cancer because the PSA blood test is not a reliable enough test to screen all men, and said that it would likely cause more harm than good.

It does recommend a targeted screening programme for men aged 45 to 61 who have a pathogenetic BRCA2 gene with a family history of breast, ovarian, pancreatic or prostate cancer.

The renowned cellist is the brother of composer and theatre impresario Baron Andrew Lloyd Webber and took a hiatus as a performer due to a herniated disc caused by the repeated bowing action of his right arm.

The injury was so severe he sold his Stradivarius, thinking he would never be able to play it on stage again.

He returned to the stage for a birthday charity gala concert at the Wigmore Hall in April with a string of upcoming shows scheduled across Northern Ireland and Ireland including Dublin, Derry and Limerick in August and September.

Lloyd Webber, who performed at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, won a Brit for his recording of Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto.

He was made an OBE in 2021 for services to music.

A spokesperson for the DHSC said: “There has been no change in policy whatsoever and any suggestion otherwise is both inaccurate and irresponsible.

“Every man still has the right to ask their GP for a PSA test and it remains the case that the final decision rests with GPs.”

The Government organisation went on to say it recently sent out a letter “telling GPs and others where to find the most up-to-date guidance”, adding: “NHS advice remains that any man with prostate cancer symptoms should get themselves checked and should expect to be referred for a PSA test.

“Men who are concerned about prostate cancer but don’t have any symptoms should speak to their GP, who will help decide the right option for the patient.”