‘Shock, fear and denial’: How a blood donation led to 39-year-old MP’s cancer diagnosis

A regular blood donation resulted in a “shock” cancer diagnosis for a 39-year-old Liberal MP Matt Cross, who will undergo surgery within days.

A regular blood donation has led to a “shock” cancer diagnosis for a NSW MP aged just 39.

Two weeks ago, Liberal MP Matt Cross was diagnosed with bowel cancer, after alarm bells were raised during a routine blood donation.

Mr Cross, who represents Davidson in Sydney’s North Shore, is set to undergo surgery within days, and will take leave while he recovers.

The MP has used his diagnosis to raise bowel cancer awareness, and to urge Australians to become blood donors.

“I donate so I can help save lives. On this occasion it will help to save my life,” he told state parliament on Tuesday night.

Mr Cross was only alerted to the “silent killer” of bowel cancer after an attempt to donate blood in February revealed dangerously low haemoglobin levels.

Liberal MP Matt Cross revealed his cancer diagnosis to parliament on Tuesday night. Picture: Instagram.

He said he experienced fatigue, but thought the symptoms were a result of working long hours as an MP.

“Upon visiting my doctor, I simply asked for a prescription of iron tablets,” Mr Cross told parliament.

Mr Cross said he had to be “stoically convinced” by his doctor, and encouraged by his wife, to undergo a colonoscopy.

Matt Cross MP Shares Personal Health Update

39-year-old Matt Cross has announced to Parliament that he has been diagnosed with bowel cancer. This diagnosis was made possible thanks to regular blood donations.

"Donating blood gave my blood a voice. It alerted me to danger.… pic.twitter.com/gp7hqW3BjM

— NSW Political Alerts (@NSWPolAlerts) May 7, 2024

He was then diagnosed with bowel cancer late last month, which he described as an “emotional roller coaster” which led to “feelings of shock, fear and denial”.

Mr Cross has a family history of bowel cancer; three of his maternal relatives died of the disease.

“Although I knew there was a risk I could one day get bowel cancer, I never believed it could happen to me aged 39,” he said.

Mr Cross thought his fatigue was a symptom of working long hours, not cancer. Picture: Instagram

Deputy Premier Prue Car took leave while undergoing cancer treatment in 2022. She also dismissed her symptoms, believing they were a result of being a working mum. Picture: NCA Newswire

He thanked his regular blood donations for catching the disease early giving him a good chance of a full recovery.

“Donating blood gave my blood a voice. It alerted me to danger,” Mr Cross said.

He also urged people to see their doctor for regular health check-ups and understand cancer symptoms.

Despite the shock diagnosis, Mr Cross said he felt “physically fine and healthy”.

In 2022, now-Deputy Premier Prue Car also took leave from parliament after being diagnosed with a kidney tumour. She initially dismissed her symptoms of tiredness and headaches, believing they were a result of being a working mum.

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