A morning TV segment on men’s health may have saved Tony Milne’s life.
Two years ago, Tony was watching a doctor being interviewed about prostate cancer, and the importance of early checks.
‘He was saying how important it was for blokes to have their prostate scanned, just like they do mammograms for women to check for breast cancer,’ he said.
The Wangetti based resident said this was a message he took to heart, especially living in a rural area.
‘I’ve lived in a few rural and remote areas, and you don’t want to be in a situation where you need emergency care, as it is not as readily accessible,’ Tony said.
After an initial scan, Tony, who turned 69 earlier this year, was informed he had a ‘shadow’ on the right side of his prostate. Blood tests and biopsy samples confirmed a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
This eventually led to a prostatectomy in June 2022; and radiation treatment that was scheduled soon after Cyclone Jasper touched down in Far North Queensland in late-2023.
Tony conceded it was not the best timing.
‘Landslides between Wangetti and Cairns prevented me from physically getting to Cairns for treatment,’ Tony said.
When the highway eventually opened more than a month later, Tony not only drove himself to Cairns Hospital’s Cancer Care Centre (Icon) for radiation treatment; he also selflessly drove his neighbours to their appointments at Cairns Hospital.
This included one person who required regular dialysis, so they would not have to worry about the stress of driving, parking, and everything else associated with a hospital visit.
‘When the cyclone hit, everyone was looking out for each other, because we were all cut off,’ Tony said.
‘This just continued well after the storm.’
Icon Cancer Centre Cairns site manager Brock Ditton, said Tony was truly a pleasure for the team during his treatment journey, which involved 34 treatments of radiotherapy.
‘Tony was an exceptional patient - his compliance, particularly with the challenging bladder and bowel preparations required for his treatment, was outstanding,’ Mr Ditton said.
‘His positive attitude and kind nature resonated with the entire team.’
Tony finished radiation therapy at Icon in August 2024, and became emotional when ringing the bell at the cancer centre to symbolise the end of his cancer treatment.
To thank staff at the centre, Tony whipped up an enormous lemon and mango cheesecake – made with fresh ingredients from his property – and some homemade Anzac biscuits.
‘This was just my small way of expressing gratitude for the care and support I received,’ Tony said.
‘They’re a great bunch there, and you can see that they’ve clearly got their heart in it.’
With one in six men diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 85, Tony urged other men to have their prostate checked by speaking to their GP, in order to develop an early testing plan for prostate cancer.
‘There just needs to be more awareness of this around blokes – particularly those who are much younger than me,’ he said.
‘The sooner you can have a check, the more likely you are to have an early diagnosis, which can give you a better chance of a successful treatment.’
Read more information about the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer.