Get prostate checked, mayor urges

Far North Mayor John Carter is undergoing surgery for prostate cancer.

Far North Mayor John Carter is in hospital in Wellington about to undergo surgery for prostate cancer, and is encouraging others to get checked for the potentially deadly disease.

He is expected to be in hospital for 10 days, followed by up to a month recuperating at home at Waipapakauri Ramp.

Deputy Mayor Tania McInnes will take over his duties for at least the next three weeks.

The mayor and former Northland MP of 24 years described it as low-level prostate cancer which had been caught early, and the surgery as a precaution to ensure it did not spread or become serious.

He was happy for people to know because it could encourage others to get checked out.

"If it means one extra person gets checked, and it extends one person's life, that's great," he said en route to hospital yesterday.

The operation is due to take place on Friday.

In 2005, Mr Carter underwent surgery for bowel cancer at Wellington's Wakefield Hospital.

Thirty centimetres of bowel was removed but, because he had sought medical advice as soon as he noticed something was wrong, no chemotherapy or radiation was required.

In that case, too, he went public with his health issues in the hope of prompting others to be proactive.

Kiwi men aged over 40 are advised to have regular prostate PSA tests if they have a family history of the cancer. Otherwise, regular tests are recommended between the ages of 50 and 70.

In its early stages, prostate cancer usually has no symptoms. Once symptoms appear it can be too late to cure.

Anyone with blood or pus in their urine, or problems passing urine, should see a doctor without delay.

See prostate.org.nz for more information.