A Personal Story - Mr Jim Lloyd MP, Federal Minister for Robertson, Chief Government Whip My early diagnosis for prostate cancer came about because of a routine PSA test, which was recommended by my local GP. I had visited my doctor in March 2002 seeking some travel inoculations, as I was attending the 2002 Anzac Day Service in Gallipoli, Turkey.

My GP recommended I have a routine PSA and Cholesterol blood test. Despite having no symptoms, my PSA was elevated at four (4). I was not concerned as I virtually knew nothing about prostate cancer. My GP recommended a further test in three months time.

Like most men I delayed having the test for a further six months until I visited my GP on an unrelated matter. The second test revealed a further elevation of my PSA to six (6) and I was referred to a Urologist in September 2002.

My Urologist recommended a biopsy, and whilst I was warned that this was uncomfortable, nothing really prepared me for the reality. I can’t say it was painful but I can only describe it as a builder’s rivet gun being discharged inside your backside. I had nine (9) samples taken on the 9th of October and I counted each one of them!

I had heard that some men have fainted after the biopsy and I was relieved that I was able to walk from the room after about a five-minute recovery period. The next two weeks were an anxious time, waiting for the results, but I always felt positive that the results would be negative; after all I was 48 years old, relatively fit and feeling very healthy. I couldn’t possibly have cancer.

I attended my Urologist accompanied by my wife, Kerry, on the 18th of October 2002 (the day after our 27th Wedding Anniversary). The biopsy was positive! I guess my mind went blank; this couldn’t possibly happen to me. I still have the hand-written diagram that my Urologist sketched for us, trying to assist in explaining the diagnosis. I’m not sure it helped, I didn’t even know what purpose was served by my prostate and until my biopsy didn’t even know where it was! It was important that my wife was with me at this time and she has since accompanied me on each visit to my specialist, even the now routine PSA results.

Like all prostate cancer patients I had to decide: (a) Do nothing (not a realistic option), (b) Surgery (a very scary idea) or (c) Radiation (an even scarier idea for me).

At the same time that I was struggling with these decisions the CEO of the Cancer Council, Professor Alan Coates, made some comments in a newspaper article which I found extremely unhelpful and distressing.

I had recently lost my brother-in-law to liver cancer and all I could think of was I didn’t want to die like he did. I went home and slumped in my lounge chair feeling very sorry for myself. I guess the usual questions raced through my mind. Why me? What have I done to deserve this? Did anything in my lifestyle cause the cancer?

All this personal turmoil was happening at the same time as the real impact of the horrific Bali bombings was being revealed.

A personal turning point in my decision process was when I visited one of the survivors in Concord Burns Unit. This man was seriously burned and tragically had lost both his wife and daughter in the bombings. My concerns suddenly seemed so insignificant and I decided that I had to face this problem head on. I researched as much as I could about prostate cancer (only confusing me further) and finally chose the surgery option on the basis of the following facts: I was 48 years old, reasonably fit, the cancer was detected early, and there was a reasonable chance of a complete cure.

As a Federal politician I had to consider my work commitments and at first considered having the operation over the Christmas break. I eventually decided to have a good holiday with my family in January and was operated on the 17th of February 2003 at the Sydney Adventist Hospital. The operation was longer than expected but I was surprised that I felt quite reasonable when I came back from surgery. They had me out of bed the next day and I was discharged from Hospital in four days.

My only problem was getting comfortable with the catheter leg-bag. I found the whole process distressing and uncomfortable for the ten days that the catheter remained in place. The best day was when I went to have the catheter removed. I was prepared with a whole range of incontinence pads, but to my surprise only needed a small pad. The relief of having the catheter removed was wonderful!

Once the catheter was removed I could resume light exercise (walking), and each day I would walk a little further. My continence was good but not perfect. I would practice my bladder control exercises while walking. I would wear a long shirt over my shorts to cover any small accidents. My son Stephen was getting married on 13 April so I set my goal to be fit for his wedding. It is a good idea to have a focus goal (such as an event or a holiday) to aim for. I was also determined to participate in a pushbike ride from Sydney to Melbourne raising money for charity. Just 10 weeks after my radical prostatectomy I rode more than 300kms over four days, something I am very proud of.

Hopefully this sends a message to other prostate cancer patients that you can quickly return to a normal lifestyle.

Within three months of surgery my continence had returned to completely normal and sexual function (whilst not as strong as previously) had also returned. It is now eight months since my surgery and my PSA is now less than .01 and my life has returned completely to normal. I am fitter than before the operation and looking forward to continuing a long and active lifestyle, something which would not have been the case without a routine PSA test and early detection.