At 71, Con's life changed with a prostate cancer diagnosis
In 2011 his wife Mary was battling lung cancer, and his daughter Catherine was facing a breast cancer diagnosis when Con unknowingly began his own cancer journey. With a family history of prostate cancer, Con made the difficult decision to have his prostate removed. Pathology tests revealed a small cancer.
For seven years, Con’s life returned to normal. But in 2018, his PSA levels began to rise once again. A PET scan later revealed the harsh reality: his cancer had spread, with two spots on his pelvis and three on his spine.
This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, let’s fight for the 1 in 6 men just like Con.

This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month let's fight for Aussies just like Con
Since his prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, Con has celebrated joyous milestones, witnessing his granddaughter get married and welcoming multiple great-grandchildren into the world.
Con is now 84 and leads an active life on his beloved farm. He encourages his children and grandchildren to stay vigilant about their health and get tested regularly, firmly believing that early screening and awareness saves lives.

Can you imagine a world where we can predict the course of prostate cancer tumour growth?
This is not science fiction – it’s the focus of a groundbreaking research project led by Associate Professor Luke Selth.
A/ Prof Selth and his team are working tirelessly to identify specific molecules in the blood that can tell us if a prostate tumour is aggressive or not. These biomarkers could provide doctors with the crucial information they need to make better treatment decisions. The goal is simple: ensure that patients receive the right treatment at the right time, avoiding unnecessary side effects.

The impact on lives
For men diagnosed with prostate cancer, the uncertainty can be overwhelming. Current tests can tell if you have cancer, but not always how serious it is. This often leads to overtreatment or undertreatment, both of which have significant consequences. Accurate biomarkers would mean fewer unnecessary treatments, and better-targeted therapies to reduce the risk of spread and progression.
But we need your help. A/ Prof Luke Selth’s team has already developed tests to measure these biomarkers in blood samples and is starting to use them with patients, but they can’t move to clinical trials without urgently needed funding. This will bring us one step closer to a test that can be used in hospitals and clinics worldwide.
By supporting this project, you are not just funding this life-changing research; you are investing in a future where prostate cancer is less of a mystery, and more of a manageable condition.
