League legend Larson's cancer scare a warning for others
RUGBY league legend Gary Larson was only 44 when he had the biggest health scare of his life
Gladstone
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gladstone. Followed categories will be added to My News.
RUGBY league legend Gary Larson was only 44 when he had the biggest health scare of his life - prostate cancer.
Seven years later the healthy father-of-two from Tannum Sands said he was lucky he found out in the early stages of the cancer.
The rugby great isn't alone, with one in five Queensland men diagnosed with prostrate cancer, according to ManUp for Prostate Cancer, an organisation run by mother and daughter team Jill and Leah Costello.
The Costellos lost their husband and father to prostate cancer more than a decade ago and will run a presentation on Friday evening at the Grand Hotel.
"I'm very lucky I was diagnosed in the early stages but it could've gone either way," Mr Larson said. "I could have laid dormant and sat there for many years with nothing done about it or I could have dealt with it. The approach I took was, I've got cancer, let's get it out."
Mr Larson said he was lucky he had regular check-ups and described the diagnosis as a frightening experience.
"If you've got any symptoms of any diseases in your family you should be getting a check-up as regular as you get your car serviced," he said.
"You'd be playing Russian roulette if you didn't get your health checked if your family has a history.
"It was by far the biggest health scare I ever had but I'm thankful to my supportive family and to all the prostate cancer patients I spoke to.
"They helped me understand it better."
Originally published as League legend Larson's cancer scare a warning for others
Major change in alleged arson, attempted $600k fraud case
Charges against a BMW-driving Qld mum accused of burning down her house and trying to hit Suncorp for a $600,000 claim have reached the higher courts with a surprise change.
‘Drove to get away from angry wife’: XXXX drink driver’s dopey move
After downing XXXX Bitter beers and having a blue with his wife, an out-of-work boilermaker hopped in the car but when police pulled him over, they also spotted some suspicious plants in the back.
Cancer strikes Central Qld teen again after 3.5 year chemo battle
A young teen who miraculously survived a rare and aggressive form of leukemia after several years of chemo which cost his family their home, has been tragically struck down again.
Aspiring beautician’s boozy crime spree and alleged violent robbery
A teenage aspiring beautician who stole cosmetics, bikinis and Bundaberg Rum while on a crime spree has been ordered to stand trial for an alleged robbery.
Alleged Medibank meth trafficker’s shocking news
A ‘wellness adviser’ who a court heard is expected to plead guilty to trafficking drugs has had a health scare before her sentencing.
‘A big ball of fire’: Neighbour battles blaze with hose before firies arrive
The wife of a man who tried to put out a Rockhampton house fire with a hose while waiting for firefighters has described the “roar of the flames”.