Rob, 62 at the time, was always “the first one in and last one out,” but simply put it down as a symptom of old age more than anything else.
After routine blood tests in October 2019 revealed an elevated PSA level, however, he was referred for an MRI by his local GP.
A positive MRI and subsequent biopsy in Bendigo confirmed a prostate cancer diagnosis, and after consultation with a specialist, Rob underwent surgery to remove his prostate in June of 2020 amid the growing COVID-19 health crisis.
Rob then underwent post-op physiotherapy at Echuca Regional Health, and after a period of rehab slowly worked back into his everyday routine.
Now cancer free, Rob’s story was laid bare for a packed crowd at the Biggest Blokes Lunch at Echuca Racing Club, with funds raised at the event going directly to ERH’s upcoming Cancer and Wellness Centre.
And while Rob has been to nearly every edition of the Biggest Blokes Lunch, it was his first time sharing his experience of the insidious disease with a larger audience.
His story had the desired effect, and he hopes it will encourage ongoing vigilance in regards to men’s health.
“It gets people thinking, and that’s great,” Rob said.
“To me, that’s important.”
“I’ve been coming to these for years. It gives you an awareness to (cancer), and when it happened to me I thought ‘now it’s my time to get up and talk,’ and say to blokes you really need to go and do something.
“I really just wanted to tell the story; this is what happened to me, and hopefully a couple of you go get tested.”
The Biggest Blokes’ Lunch is a fundraiser for men’s health, with proceeds going towards Echuca Regional Health’s prostate nurse position.
Following his diagnosis, Rob was put in touch with ERH’s prostate nurse Serena Morley, who he praised along with the entirety of the ERH staff during a difficult time.
“The nurses here in Echuca are fantastic,” Rob said.
“You’re in a lot of physio before you have the surgery. There’s different exercises to go through once you have your prostate removed.
“(Serena) contacted me once she knew about the diagnosis. She put me on to the girls that do the physio here.
“She rang me every month to see how I was going.
“I can do anything I want now, and I put a lot of that down to doing the physio and doing what they tell you.”
Now checked half-annually, Rob encouraged men to keep across their health, knowing that it could one day save their life.
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