Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

Phil has one piece of advice for men with prostate cancer: meet with a PCFA prostate cancer nurse early on.

“I was 61 and not long retired when I was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2022.”

His initial MRI scan suggested that there was no sign of cancer, so Phil underwent regular PSA testing to monitor for any changes.

Unfortunately that soon changed, and once prostate cancer was confirmed, he was scheduled to undergo a robotic prostatectomy in 2023.

“Once surgery was scheduled the urologist arranged for my wife and I to meet the prostate cancer specialist nurse.

“I can’t emphasise enough how incredibly helpful this was in our understanding of what challenges lay ahead.”

Prostate cancer nurses offer a quality of care that no other health professionals can provide, supporting men like Phil in the hours, days, weeks, and years after a diagnosis.

And through Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s Telenursing Service, more men and their loved ones can access support and expert advice.

“I want to do everything I can to help PCFA put more specialist nurses on the ground and expand their telenursing service.

“I know the difference it made for me, helping me get surgery-ready and prioritise my health during recovery.

“So why not go Dry this July – you’ll be helping save lives!”

Your fundraising for Dry July 2023 has supported Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia's hospital-based Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses and life-changing Prostate Cancer Specialist Telenursing Service.

Thank you for your support and contribution to making a positive difference in the lives of people living with prostate cancer.

In July 2020, at the age of 42, Nine Newsreader Will McDonald was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer after developing a pain in his hip.

When diagnosed, specialists found that the cancer had already spread outside the prostate to his left hip.

Being diagnosed with aggressive cancer at such a young age came as a complete shock.

“My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019 at the age of 75. They found his relatively early and he’s back to full health now,” says Will.

“After dad was diagnosed, I knew that I had an increased risk of prostate cancer – but to be diagnosed so soon was a lot to take in.

“But just days after my prostate cancer diagnosis, I made the decision to do everything I possibly can to stay positive, strong and get completely healthy again.”

Since his diagnosis Will has courageously handled chemotherapy, radiation therapy and ongoing hormone therapy - working throughout his treatment.

Despite all he has endured to date, the experience has made him more determined to make a difference by supporting PCFA in campaigns such as Dry July.

Will and his partner Samantha also recently welcomed their first child Alfie Buxton McDonald to the family, after five arduous rounds of IVF.

“I’m proud to be an ambassador for PCFA and urge others to go Dry this July for men and families fighting prostate cancer,” he said.

“With 1 in 5 men now diagnosed in their lifetime, I know why I Dry July - awareness and support has never been more important.” 

“The best part of my job is the patients, they are so resilient, so amazing. Having the opportunity to support these men and their families is such an honour.

I would like to thank all of those people who choose to go Dry in July."

Meet Rick. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer at just 47 and had a radical prostatectomy last year.

“I’m one of the lucky ones,” he says, “I had a proactive GP who started testing me at 40.

“When my PSA started rising, I didn’t hesitate in seeing a urologist - an MRI and biopsy found a Gleason Grade 6 prostate cancer.

“My specialist at the time recommended Active Surveillance with yearly biopsies and PSA monitoring, and earlier this year my PSA hit the high sixes and they found a nodule, suggesting it was growing.

“I went in for surgery 10 days later I got the phone call I was hoping for – they got all of it, with no trace of the cancer in surrounding tissue or lymph nodes.

“Sharing that news with my wife Linda and sons Mitchel and Alexander was a great moment after three years of worrying. Their love and strength carried me through and every day I battled it was for them.

“My message for other men out there is that we only get one shot at life, and we don’t want this disease to take us, so get checked.

“And if you need support, you’ve got it – from me and other men who are in this fight with us.”

Rick signed up for Dry July last year to help encourage more men to learn about their prostate cancer risks and get tested.