Sam Newman has prostate cancer

[gO.SainTs]

Herald Sun
March 05, 2008, 06:03pm


SAM Newman has revealed he is in hospital battling prostate cancer and fighting for his life. The outspoken Footy Show star, 62, had surgery today.

It will be several days before doctors know whether it has spread to other parts of his body.

"There's nothing you can do about it," Newman said of the fight for his life.

"If you get it in the bones or the lungs of course that can be a completely different scenario.

"People can say it couldn't happen to a nicer bloke and I accept all that."

He was made aware of the condition about three weeks ago, Channel 9 reported.

Close friend Eddie McGuire was among only a few people aware of the diagnosis.

He said Newman was concerned and nervous before today's operation.

"He has shown tremendous courage," McGuire said.

Doctors say the cancer was detected at an early stage and are hopeful of a recovery.

The former Geelong ruckman's relationship woes and off-field antics have regularly hit headlines.

Now his health is in the spotlight.

Prostate cancer claims more than 2600 Australians a year, and afflicts men in the same numbers as breast cancer claims women.

Footy legend Robbie Flower recovered from a battle with prostate cancer several years ago.

The former Melbourne skipper needed urgent surgery after a routine check revealed cancer just before Christmas, 2000.

Former Footscray champion and AFL legend Ted Whitten died in 1995 as a result of prostate cancer. He was 62.

[Otiman]

Publicity for prostate cancer, and encouragement to get tested is always good.

[Oh When the Saints]

Publicity for prostate cancer, and encouragement to get tested is always good.

Yep.

Best wishes to Newman on his recovery.

[esaint66]

yeh most people dont seem to like sam, but im not one of them i love the guy and i hope he gets better.

but did you ever notice teddy was 62 when he died and sammy is 62, they dont look anything alike in age sam just looks like hes hit 50.

good luck sam.

[B W and R all over]

Wish him all the best.

I've always been a Sam fan even though many here aren't. Gotta admire someone who genuinely doesn't care what people think about them.

But I'm sure even those who can't stand him wish him all the best.

[snoopygirl]

Absolutely. Hopefully this will encourage a few more men to get tested for this along with other checks. Just goes to show cancer is not selective in its victims.

[hAyES]

All the best to him. He's a huge laugh and it would be a big loss if he didn't make it.

[iwantmeseats]

what are the actual symptons?

[saintbrat]

Prostate Cancer Symptoms

If the cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. Some men, however, will experience symptoms that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer, including:

A need to urinate frequently, especially at night;
Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine;
Weak or interrupted flow of urine;
Painful or burning urination;
Difficulty in having an erection;
Painful ejaculation;
Blood in urine or semen; or
Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.

Because these symptoms can also indicate the presence of other diseases or disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms will undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms.

all the best Sam- attitude is a major factor in recovery. take strength from friends and foes alike.

[iwantmeseats]

Yeah I love Sam. Wish him all the best.

[Ghost Like]

Beat the bastard Sam!

[karnak]

Not enough characters around today, I'd hate to lose this one.

He is entertainment plus.

Good luck and you can beat it.

[Ralphy]

im also another one who likes him

he is a charector and if we lost him then afl footy show on thursday would not be any good any more!

good luck sammy! beat it!

[meher baba]

I can't say that I have any time for him at all, but I certainly wish him well.

I understand that the prognosis for prostate cancer if it is detected early is pretty good, so let's hope it's all ok.

[Armoooo]

I can't say that I have any time for him at all, but I certainly wish him well.

I understand that the prognosis for prostate cancer if it is detected early is pretty good, so let's hope it's all ok.

I agree with you, I have never liked him on TFS but he doesn't deserve this, few people do, hopefully the awareness will lead more people to get tested, it is a disease that takes far more lives then it needs to...

[fugazi]

Agree with Karnak..need all the characters we can get...not that Sam was a real favourite, but he does add something to footy.

If the cancer is encapsulated he should have a good prognosis. If he's being getting regular checks than it shouldn't be too advanced.

I

[Launcestonsaint]

Best wishes to Sam & anyone else suffering from any type of cancer.
My sister has recently had treatment for breast cancer & is currently awaiting the results.

[Ralphy]

good luck to your sister dude!

best wishes to her and her family

[midas_touch]

Sam Newman is indeed a genuine character of the game, and provides lots of entertainment on the footy show. Wishing him all the best in beating this battle against prostate cancer.

[n1ck]

Best Wishes, Sammy. Good luck.

[Eastern]

Best Wishes to LS's sister and to Sammy !!

[docsaint]

no country in the world recommends screening for prostate cancer in men with no symptoms. The fact is neither the finger up the bum or blood test is accurate enough for population screening purposes (unlike pap tests or breastscreen).

Don't listen to the media hype about regular prostate checks

[snoopygirl]

What is the best way of detecting/preventing it then Docsaint?

[docsaint]

the fact is most men with prostate cancer die with the illness, not of it. Also 2 in 3 prostate cancers diagnosed will do nothing, but we don't know which ones. What we do know is that treatment has severe potential side effects which may be worse than the cancer.

We don't have the answer to SoopyGirls question, and if you asked 10 different doctors you will get 10 different answers. Same with treatment, the sugeons say sugery, the radiation oncologists say radiotherapy, some say hormone treatment, some say watchful waiting.

If you have symptoms such as poor stream ,dribbling, getting up at night etc or a family history then get checked. But as a GP we are advised not to routinely screen men without symptoms, and if they do request it we discuss the pros and cons and let the patient decide to protect ourselves medicolegally

[evertonfc]

Not enough characters around today, I'd hate to lose this one.

He is entertainment plus.

Good luck and you can beat it.

Amen to that.