Hervey Bay MP Adrian Tantari reveals secret battle with prostate cancer
A Queensland MP has hit out at his ‘haters’, who he says have been spreading ‘nasty and defamatory lies’ while he battled prostate cancer.
Fraser Coast
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A Queensland MP has hit out at his political opponents for attempting to score “cheap points” after revealing he had undergone major surgery for prostate cancer last month.
Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari shared the news of his health battle on social media on Friday.
“I would like to thank the Hervey Bay community for showing their patience when trying to contact me or my office during the last weeks, as my access to you has been limited by major cancer surgery undertaken in March,” he said.
“For your information, I am slowly on the mend, with ongoing treatment required as I move forward.
“Knowing many people in our community have had to face their own daunting cancer journey, I can only thank those who chose to support me during this stressful time for me and my family.
“I want to put on the public record a huge thank you to the wonderful and highly talented surgical team, the doctors, the nurses, and all staff of the Mater Public Hospital who cared for and continue to care for, me during this challenging period.
“In saying that, it is disappointing to hear even though my office had been clear about my absence, my political opponents in an attempt to score cheap political points against me, have chosen to spread defamatory and nasty lies, attacking me and my staff, within the community and online regarding my absence.
“That is not the Hervey Bay community that I know and have grown to love in my 25 years here, and it’s a shame that my opponents think that it is OK to do so.
“As you would expect, I chose to ignore the haters and have been focusing my energy on healing, so I can return to work ASAP to see the delivery and completion of the many great projects and programs benefiting thousands of people right across the Hervey Bay electorate.”
Speaking to the Chronicle on Friday, Mr Tantari said he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
He said like most men he had considered himself to be “bulletproof”.
But a simple text, done at the urging of his brother, revealed he needed a biopsy and that led to the discovery he had cancer.
Mr Tantari said that with early detection, prostate cancer was one of the most treatable cancers.
But once it spread, that dropped to about 30 per cent, he said.
Mr Tantari urged other men to get tested.
He said he was committed to contesting the next state election, adding that there were many more things he wanted to achieve for Hervey Bay.
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