28 April 2025

Australian businesswoman Liz Heggaton is urgently calling on the Federal Government to boost awareness and funding for men living with prostate cancer, following the tragic death of her husband, Dr Craig Heggaton.

In July 2024, aged 63, he took his own life while undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) — a common prostate cancer treatment known to cause depression, fatigue, and other serious side effects.

More than 26,000 Australian men are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer each year and face a 70% increased risk of suicide.

The disease is Australia’s most commonly diagnosed cancer, although public funding for research, awareness, and support lags behind funding for other major cancers.

“Craig was a larger-than-life character — full of energy, deeply loved, and admired by many,” Liz said. “There were no clear warning signs. I knew something wasn’t right with his energy levels earlier in the year, but I had no idea how profoundly the treatment was affecting him.”

In the months since Craig’s passing, Liz has been searching for answers. She learned more about what Craig may have faced after a radio interview with prostate cancer survivor and surf journalist Tim Baker, who spoke openly about the mental toll of ADT in his book Patting the Shark.

Now, Liz and Tim are joining the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) in a public call for change — urging the Federal Government to act swiftly.

PCFA is calling for $7.7 million in urgent funding for 21 new PCFA prostate cancer specialist nurses around the country, to help meet growing demand for clinical and psychological support, targeting regional areas with high unmet needs.  The organisation is also leading critical research projects to better support men undergoing hormone therapy.

PCFA CEO Anne Savage said the system is failing too many men.

“Craig’s death is a devastating reminder of the mental health impacts that can come with prostate cancer treatment,” Ms Savage said. “We must do more to support these men — expanding access to specialist nurses who can provide highly specialised clinical and psychological care, and funding research to find new therapies and treatments.”

“The underfunding of Australia’s most common cancer is staggering. We are calling on the Government to act now, so that men no longer suffer in silence.”

Craig and Liz Heggaton