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Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has revealed he will undergo surgery after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The former deputy prime minister comfortably won his regional NSW seat of New England at the federal election, but revealed his diagnosis after the vote.
Joyce, 58, received the diagnosis following a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
The test result showed an “elevated” level, leading to an MRI and biopsy that confirmed the presence of prostate cancer.
He told ABC News he would have an operation on Monday followed by a short stay in hospital.
“Prostate cancer, if you get it early, is very, very treatable; in fact, about 97 per cent successful,” he said.
“If I thought it was very serious, of course I’d resign, but my doctors or surgeons say, ‘You’re very lucky you’ve got it early.'”
Joyce chose to keep his diagnosis confidential to avoid creating a distraction during the election campaign.
“I knew it would turn into a bit of a circus,” he said.
“I wanted the campaign to focus on the campaign and I didn’t think this issue needed to be a part of that.”
Labor had a , reducing the coalition to at the polls and the in the process.
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