Former deputy Prime Minester Barnaby Joyce will undergo surgery after being diagnosed with prostate cancer, just hours after being reelected.
Mr Joyce revealed the news after undergoing a prostate-specific antigen blood test, following advice from his doctor.
The test returned an elevated result, and he underwent an MRI scan and biopsy before the diagnosis.
‘Prostate cancer, if you get it early, is very, very treatable; in fact, about 97 per cent successful,’ he told ABC News.
‘I’ll have the operation on Monday and I will then have a couple of days in hospital and will recuperate after that. I’m very blessed and lucky to discover this early.’
Mr Joyce said he had no symptoms before getting tested.
He will continue to serve in his role as the MP for the NSW seat of New England despite the diagnosis.
‘If I thought it was very serious, of course I’d resign, but my doctors or surgeons say, – you’re very lucky you’ve got it early.’
Barnaby Joyce has six children.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce will undergo surgery on Monday after being diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer. Mr Joyce is pictured alongside his wife Vikki Campion
Joyce revealed his diagnosis just hours after being reelected as the Member for New England
He has four daughters from his collapsed marriage to Natalie Joyce, aged in their early 20s.
With his current partner, Vikki Campion, he has two sons: Sebastian, born in 2018, and Thomas, born in 2019.
Ms Joyce’s 24-year marriage to Natalie collapsed in December 2017 and two months later it was revealed he had been having an affair with his former media advisor Ms Campion.
In February 2018 it was revealed the pair were expecting a child in a Daily Telegraph front page which featured a picture of a pregnant Ms Campion under the headline ‘Bundle of Joyce’.
The Nationals leader initially claimed the child may not be his, insisting the identity of the father was a ‘grey area’ – but said he would not take a paternity test and would raise the boy named Sebastian as his.
Joyce and Campion later married in November 2023, in a country-style ceremony at Joyce’s family estate in Woolbrook, near Walcha, New South Wales.
What you need to know about prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, and it is estimated that one in six males will be diagnosed by the time they are 85.
Early (localised) prostate cancer refers to cancer cells that have grown but do not appear to have spread beyond the prostate.
There are two stages of advanced prostate cancer:
- locally advanced prostate cancer where the cancer has spread outside the prostate to nearby parts of the body or glands close to the prostate
- metastatic prostate cancer where the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body.
Symptoms of prostate cancer
Early prostate cancer usually does not cause symptoms.
Advanced prostate cancer symptoms can include: frequent urination, pain while urinating, blood in the urine or semen, a weak stream, pain in the back or pelvis, weak legs or feet.
More widespread disease often spreads to the bones and causes pain or unexplained weight loss and fatigue.
Causes of prostate cancer
Age, increasing rapidly after 50 years of age.
Family history of prostate, breast or ovarian cancer, especially BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations.
A father or brother diagnosed with prostate cancer before the age of 60.
Testing for prostate cancer
There is no single, simple test to detect prostate cancer. Two commonly used tests are the PSA blood test and the digital rectal examination.
Source: Cancer Council of Australia. Read more: https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/prostate-cancer
