United Kingdom, April 5 -- Sir Steve McQueen believes his dad's death "saved [his] life".

The 55-year-old filmmaker lost his dad, Philbert, to prostate cancer in 2006, and his passing prompted Steve to pay even closer attention to his own health.

Steve - who directed the 2013 drama film '12 Years a Slave' - told the Guardian newspaper: "My father saved my life because I wouldn't have done anything if it hadn't been for his cancer."

Philbert never took a day off work before being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2000.

Steve shared: "He had a couple of accidents, and that's what triggered him to go to the doctor.

"My father sometimes wet himself. It was embarrassing for him. He wanted to get it sorted, and he went to his GP, and throu...