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Jonathan Coleman reveals cancer battle

Emotional scenes as Studio 10 funnyman reveals a private battle.

TV funnyman and Studio 10 all-rounder Jonathan Coleman has revealed he has been undergoing 12 months of chemo and radiotherapy following a prostate cancer diagnosis.

Coleman told TEN Daily “On a Friday I would do Studio 10 in the morning and then in the afternoon I would go up to St Vincent’s and have the chemo for a couple of hours, and I’d be back in at TEN on the Monday morning.

“The day I found out I had cancer I was sitting there thinking about who I had to call, and I suddenly realised I had to do my radio show that night! So in the carpark I said to my co-host Jon Vidler, “Before we go up, I just want to let you know I’ve got prostate cancer.” He was like ‘What the f*** are you doing here?’ But I wanted to keep what I was doing — as normal. What’s the alternative, sitting at home, thinking and having a drink? It was much better doing the radio show, and going on as normal.”

After 12 months of treatment, Coleman is on the mend, referring to himself as a cancer survivor.

Great to hear!

7 Responses

  1. He might the reason I change channels if I ever watch studio 10, but he obviously entertains many, nice to know he’s recovering and making people aware

  2. So, as the “borderline” for the PSA test is 6, why did his “old doctor” let it get to 7 before doing a biopsy? Digital exam proves nothing as it could be a benign enlargement. Only the blood test will tell, but clearly he didn’t have regular or even annual PSA tests, as Prostate cancer is slow growing and would not have reached 7 with regular tests, and proper diagnosis. Sad though that he joined the silent majority who feel it’s something to not talk about – well, at least for more than a year. A year after diagnosis and first treatment does not make one “a survivor”. The 5/5 rule applies. If reaching 5 years with no relapse then there’s a 95% probability that all will be OK. Just a pity Prostate cancer doesn’t get as much discussion as breast cancer. Speaking as an early-diagnosed 5/5 survivor.

    1. Jason – joining the “silent majority” as you erroneously put it, is sometimes a mechanism for dealing with a frightening situation, just as considering oneself a survivor a year after first diagnosis and first treatment can be a means of bolstering one’s feelings of hope for the future. It’s a shame a little compassion is not forthcoming from someone who has been through it like yourself. My best wishes for a complete recovery for both Jonathan Coleman and all who are enduring this vile disease.

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