25 January 2024
Former Australian off-spinner Tim May has spoken publicly about his prostate cancer treatment in the hope men don’t skip a PSA test like he did and increase the risk of missing a cancer diagnosis.
“My PSA level went from one to 11.7 which was a massive red flag as anything over four is cause for alarm, so if I hadn’t skipped the test I might have caught my diagnosis earlier,” said May.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia has announced Tim May’s new role as an Ambassador on his return to his home ground Adelaide Oval for the first test between Australia and the West Indies.
May played in 24 Tests and 47 ODIs between 1987 and 1995 and was part of the Australian team that won their first world titles during the 1987 Cricket World Cup.
“For the past 12 months I’ve undergone chemo and radiation and despite my scans coming back all clear the other day I still have to continue chemo for another 12 months to keep it at bay.
“I really want all men to get a simple blood test to check their PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels and don’t skip a test like I did because I was scared to get a test as I hadn’t been feeling well.”
Anne Savage, CEO of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, said 70 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every day, making it the nation's most common cancer.
“Early detection is the key to survival, with only 36% of prostate cancers in Australia detected at Stage 1,” said Ms Savage.
To learn more, call 1800 22 00 99.
