Shellharbour mayor Chris Homer to lead through cancer battle

Shellharbour mayor Chris Homer has revealed he began treatment for prostate cancer weeks after his shock election victory in December.

Recent months have been choppy for Chris Homer, the surfer and political newbie who pulled off one of the biggest shocks of the NSW local government elections by becoming mayor of Shellharbour.

Cr Homer is leading the council through a Supreme Court proceeding which is questioning the validity of the outcome in Ward A, and all while starting radiation therapy to treat an ongoing battle with prostate cancer.

The 54-year-old, who rose to prominence Shellharbour through his advocacy for Killalea State Park, was diagnosed more than a year ago, but after being unable to ward it off via natural methods, was encouraged to try more conventional treatment.

“I‘m pretty active so I consider myself pretty fit and healthy,” Cr Homer explained.

“I didn’t have an enlarged prostate so the only reason I found out was by chance when I had some blood tests done. My doctor noticed elevated PSA [prostate-specific antigen] levels and he wanted to look into it.

Cr Homer had a biopsy which confirmed he had cancer which is a moment he said ‘floored him’.

Shellharbour mayor Chris Homer is confident he’ll overcome prostate cancer. Picture: Dylan Arvela

The Lake Illawarra local explained how he was “lucky” it was prostate cancer and that his ongoing treatment won’t hinder his ability to fulfil the duties for which he was elected.

“I don’t think it will have any effect at all,” Cr Homer said.

“The procedures these days for prostate cancer are very good and very targeted. I will quote from the doctor that prostate cancer is probably if you are going to choose a cancer for a man it’s the one you would choose. It’s slow growing and it’s not as aggressive as other cancers.

“I am right here right now doing my job and I don’t see it affecting my job in any shape or form. I am really confident I am going to overcome the cancer and I am going to proceed to work for the public as hard as I can.”

For more information on prostate cancer, talk to your GP or visit the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, the Cancer Council, or the Commonwealth Government‘s Health Direct.