In a heartfelt and timely conversation marking both Men’s Health Week (10th-16th June) and Father’s Day (15th June), Iceland Foods CEO, Tarsem Dhaliwal OBE, and his son, Chief Commercial Officer Paul Dhaliwal, are breaking the silence on a topic that will affect one in eight men in their lifetime – prostate cancer.
Following Tarsem’s father’s prostate cancer diagnosis, the pair sat down for a life-saving conversation as part of Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation’s (IFCF) Father’s Day awareness initiative with long-time charity partners Prostate Cancer UK.
In a poignant chat, Tarsem and Paul chatted about their relationship in and outside of work as well as Tarsem’s time learning the ropes in the marketplace with his parents.
They also reflect on their family history with prostate cancer, and this Father’s Day, are urging others to have similar conversations, and encouraging men to use Prostate Cancer UK’s online risk checker – a tool which allows men to find out their risk in 30 seconds and learn what they can do about it.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and an early diagnosis can save lives, so men need to be aware of the risk of the disease. Men are at higher risk if they are over 50, Black or have a father or brother who has had prostate cancer.
As part of IFCF ongoing commitment to raising awareness, Tarsem has now taken on a new role as an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK.
Iceland Foods chief executive, Tarsem Dhaliwal OBE said: “Becoming an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK is a first of a kind role for me. I am committed to helping my son, and every man, understand their risk of prostate cancer and take action early.
“Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation has been working alongside Prostate Cancer UK for almost two decades, and we’re honoured to use this Father’s Day as a moment to shine a spotlight on such an important issue, starting life-saving conversations between fathers and sons, families, and communities.”
Prostate Cancer UK chief executive Laura Kerby said: “For more than a decade, we’ve proudly worked side by side with the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation, and we’re delighted they’re once again helping to raise vital awareness of prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men, ahead of Father’s Day.
“Father’s Day is a poignant time, as many families remember loved ones and celebrate those still with us. We’re incredibly grateful to Tarsem and his son Paul for sharing their personal story so openly.
“One in eight men will get prostate cancer. The earlier it’s found, the easier it is to treat – but there’s currently no screening programme. If, like Tarsem, you have a family history of the disease, or if you’re Black, you’re at the highest risk. That’s why we strongly encourage men to speak to their GP about testing from the age of 45.”
IFCF and Prostate Cancer UK share a long-standing partnership spanning over 17 years, during which IFCF has donated £1.5 million to support the charity’s vital work. Now, as Tarsem takes on his new role as an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK, he will help strengthen connections across a variety of sectors – acting as a strategic advocate to open doors to new opportunities, partnerships, and supporters.
Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in England, with the number of diagnoses surpassing those of breast cancer for two years in a row and rising by a quarter between 2019 and 2023.
Prostate Cancer UK provides essential resources and support for men and their loved ones across the UK, and to complete the charity’s 30-second online risk-checker visit: prostatecanceruk.org/icelandrisk.
