Corowa local David Harrison hopes to lift awareness about prostate cancer, with men in the Federation Council region three times as likely to be diagnosed with the disease. Photo by Georgie James.
“You have prostate cancer.”
One in six men will hear these words in their lifetime with Australia having the highest rates of prostate cancer in the world.
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Corowa local David Harrison heard those fateful words only a few months ago. Now he’s on a quest to raise awareness in the region.
Having just had prostate cancer surgery five weeks ago, it has been a huge adjustment for the well-known footy umpire and men’s health advocate.
“It was not in my retirement plan. I’m going really well and almost back to normal, but it is a big life event, and it happens suddenly,” the retired pig farmer said.
“I’ve always been aware of the numbers behind this disease, one in six men and because my father had it, I knew I was five times more at risk. Hence the PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) tests every year since I turned 50.
“They have been perfect until, bingo, a little blip this year and next thing I know a specialist is offering me major surgery immediately.
“Thankfully we got this early and I will be fine, but I have learned a lot in the last couple of months. It certainly curtailed my football finals campaign.
“I am just thankful my doctor Ayon Guha picked this up early and acted. I spoke to him last week and he suggested it seems to be getting worse locally.
“The number of blokes I come across who totally ignore this disease and don’t have regular tests. Often that is a misguided thought that it involves a finger - it doesn’t, it’s a blood test.
“I am also convinced that although there is no documented cause or prevention to this disease that men should make sure that they retain good health in later life to be ready for this if it happens. Don’t smoke, get some exercise and be ready - you just never know.
“The data shows that there is a shocking risk level in Federation Shire (largely age related) with men three times more likely to receive a diagnosis compared to the rest of the state.”
Corowa local Neil Ormond had a prostatectomy seven years ago. With no family history, the diagnosis came as quite a surprise to the now 66-year-old.
“No one in my family had it so it was a bit of a shock,” the former schoolteacher said.
“I had an abnormality which was followed by 12 biopsies of the prostate. My urologist was on the side of keeping an eye on it. I asked if there was a chance that he missed the aggressive part of the cancer and he said yes.
“Thankfully I had a very nice pelvic floor physio who recommended a second opinion.
“I was sent down to Melbourne to see prostate cancer specialist Dr Daniel Moon. From there, he examined my reports and told me I had to get it out straight away or it would progress up a stage. By the time I did, it had moved up from level six to a mid-seven.”
Unfortunately, Neil had a complicated recovery which took around 10 months.
“I was fortunate to have a nerves sparing prostatectomy, but you’re never the quite same afterwards. It takes a bit of work,” he said.
“Thankfully, I had my wife Kerrie supporting me. She’s a retired nurse and continence nurse. To have her to get me through it all…I really am very fortunate.
“Just like how we have breast cancer nurses, we need prostate cancer nurses too. It is a difficult time to get through post operation, continence-wise and other issues.
After undergoing a prostatectomy seven years ago, Neil Ormond, pictured with his wife Kerrie, considers himself to be as healthy as possible now and encourages men to get a PSA check from as early 40.
“For the average man, you lose your manhood. A lot of men experience that because the surgery is not nerve sparing as it’s reached a higher stage. You aren’t the same as you used to be, and it takes a lot to work through that trauma.”
Neil said men from age 40 should begin having regular PSA checks.
“People sort of think it’s an old man’s disease but it’s not. You shouldn’t wait until you’re in your fifties and sixties,” he said.
“When you talk to your doctor about cholesterol or blood tests, you should ask about a PSA test too.
“I’m a classic example of someone who has survived it, but I’ve also had friends who have died from it. I’m on the scale where I’m here seven years later and fit as I could possibly be.”
Both David and Neil agree that getting tested and early detection could save other men’s lives.
“The test is simple. If you’re in the acceptable range, you keep living life. If you’re not, then you have to do something about it. People are scared of losing their virility, or their manhood but if you get it early, you have the best chance of preserving that surviving the disease.”
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