Cancer-stricken MP Prue Car reveals why she initially ignored symptoms

NSW MP Prue Car has revealed why she initially dismissed symptoms that would turn out to be cancer.

NSW deputy Labor leader Prue Car says she initially believed symptoms that would turn out to be cancer were the result of being a working Mum.

The Londonderry MP, who announced she had been diagnosed with a kidney tumour on Monday, urged others to get help early if they were feeling unwell.

“Some of the symptoms I was getting were, I would say they were sort of minor … tired, headaches, things that you would put down to being a mum, working full time …. things that were happening in everyday life,” she told Sydney radio 2GB.

“In my case, it sounds like that they‘ve found it early enough to deal with it.

The mother-of-one also revealed the overwhelming wave of support she had received since going public with her diagnosis.

“One of my constituents even called the office yesterday and offered to donate their kidneys, so that was a bit of a surprise,”

“I cannot tell you how many people have contacted me.”

Chris Minns has called his deputy leader’s cancer diagnosis ‘heartbreaking’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Ms Car said her prognosis was “looking positive”, but she would be taking leave for cancer treatment over the coming weeks.

“Unfortunately, this means I won’t be able to see you out and about our community for a little while,” she said.

The deputy leader is encouraging Australians to get checked if they’re “not feeling 100 per cent,” saying her symptoms were quite mild.

Ms Car, who decided to pay her doctor a visit after advice from her partner Brad, said while she was shocked to hear her diagnosis, she was hopeful that she’d be back to business by the NSW election.

“It’s more the shock of hearing that word and thinking about what’s going to happen and your family and just making sure that you take care of everyone,” she said.

“Hopefully, I’ll be back on-board ready for the state election next year.”

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns called the news “heartbreaking”.

“Those of you who know Prue will know that there’s nothing out there that can stop her,” he said.

“And this fight will be no different. From all of us here at NSW Labor – we’re all with you Prue.”

Ms Car was elected to parliament in 2015 to represent the safe Labor seat of Londonderry in western Sydney before being elevated to the position of deputy leader when Mr Minns took over the leadership a year ago.

She has been the opposition education spokeswoman since 2019.

Originally published as Cancer-stricken MP Prue Car reveals why she initially ignored symptoms