We often hear of international celebrities, such as the recent announcement by Deion Sanders, 57, two-time US NFL hall-of-famer champion, put the spotlight on their battles with cancer, but a number of Australian celebrities have also drawn attention to their own or their friends’ cancer experience. Using their celebrity status to highlight the effects of cancer and the need for early detection, has, no doubt, had an impact on many Australians. The most recent person to speak out is Magda Szubanski, beloved comedienne and actress, especially in Kath and Kim, who we saw at the Logies last month, with bald head, suffering from mantle cell lymphoma, a rare and aggressive blood cancer.
Delta Goodrem, singer, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system at 18 and now raises money for research and visits patients in hospital. And of course, we know of Olivia Newtown John’s repeated bouts with breast cancer, first diagnosed when she was 44. We also know of the lasting legacy she left through the creation of the Olivia Newton John Cancer Centre in Melbourne. Kylie Minogue was another sufferer of breast cancer, contacting it when she was just 36 and publicly sharing her situation. Australian women have one of the highest rates of breast cancer in the world, but also one of the lowest mortality rates (National Breast Cancer Foundation), much of this attributed to early detection.
Australian men have the highest cancer rates in the world. Out of 185 countries studied in a recent research project, 514 men out of 100,000 were diagnosed with cancer (RACGP, NewsGP, 2024).
However, as with the case of women, their survival rates are significantly higher than in most other countries. Prostate, lung, colorectal, melanoma and testicular cancers rank highest, with bladder cancer for men ranking as the 10th most common (Cancer Australia) Bladder cancer in Australian women ranked 17th most prominent (Cancer Council Victoria).
Hugh Jackman, internationally renowned actor, contacted one of the most common, melanoma. He was 45 when he was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma in 2013 and has had multiple surgeries, He is an ongoing and strong advocate for early detection and treatment. Not surprisingly, a number of famous Australians have publicly spoken about their plight with prostate cancer, including Sam Newman, former AFL player; Alan Jones, radio host; Will McDonald, news presenter; and Tim Baker, author and journalist. Many others, who have raised awareness and money for research, can be added to this list.
Added to this list are those who are serving as advocates for their friends and the broader Australian community without being diagnosed with cancer themselves. Among these are Stephen Curry, actor known from the much-loved classic, The Castle, who is a strong advocate for kidney health and organ donation and Barry du Bois, TV presenter master builder and renovator, who, as ambassador, for the Cancer Council’s biggest morning tea, raises money in a fun event to fund cancer research, for the early detection, treatment and support. Celebrities speaking out publicly helps demystify and destigmatise cancer, helps raise awareness, promotes early action and regular health check-ups … and helps raise funds for awareness campaigns, screening programs and research.