Jono Coleman signs on as Movember ambassador after prostate cancer diagnosis
ALTHOUGH he’s had the all clear from doctors, Studio 10 larrikin Jono Coleman has vowed never to be complacent following his prostate cancer diagnosis.
Confidential
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Although he’s had the all-clear from doctors, Studio 10 larrikin Jono Coleman has vowed never to be complacent following his prostate cancer diagnosis.
“I’m never blatantly saying to myself ‘I’m cancer free’. I think you’ve just got to be careful,” he told Confidential.
“I’m 99 per cent clear but there’s that thing in the back of my mind going ‘don’t be complacent’.”
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Coleman, 62, who was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in May last year, counts himself as one of the lucky ones.
“I don’t lay in bed at night thinking ‘I have prostate cancer, what am I going to do’ because I am so lucky compared with people I know or people I see in hospital. I just say to myself ‘get over it, be a big boy’.”
In fact, Coleman now considers himself part of a “little club” along other major personalities who have suffered a similar diagnosis including Ben Stiller, Alan Jones, Robert De Niro and Stephen Fry.
And although his body may have taken a hit from the illness, his sense of humour most certainly hasn’t.
“I’m not going to let this stop me. The things that will stop me is the taxation department or my heart,” Coleman joked.
The TV funny man has signed on as an ambassador for Movember this month to use his experience with prostate cancer to help raise awareness for men’s health.
“It’s great that they’re bringing attention to men’s health generally.
“And it’s great that girls can stick on fake mo’s or organise an event to help support the cause.”
Admitting he’s attempted to take part in similar campaigns in the past, Coleman thinks the Movember initiative is more achievable than others.
“The other one I used to have a go at was Dry July … I used to have a Dry July and then an incredibly wet August.
“So I think I’m going to do better at Movember,” he said, laughing.