Trevor's story

At 55 years of age, Trevor was running marathons and living an active lifestyle when life as he knew it changed dramatically.

It was 2002 when a biopsy revealed Trevor had cancer in the right side of his prostate.

“I was in shock and my wife was understandably upset but I saw the diagnosis as a challenge I had to face,” he said.

“I was referred to Mater for surgery to remove the prostate and some nerves on the side of it, but a month later my Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) increased again, indicating there were still cancerous cells in my body.

“I was told that I could have up to five years to live.”

Shocked, Trevor took charge of his health and focused on healthy eating and keeping active, as well as fulfilling his dream of buying acreage. 

Almost a decade later, Trevor was diagnosed with secondary bone cancer in his skull, back, ribs and hips, as well as the lymph nodes in his chest.

Trevor and his family were devastated.

“My cancer was very widespread and I took the advice to see an oncologist at Mater’s Cancer Care Centre which was a very wise decision,” Trevor said.

“I started hormone therapy and chemotherapy and over time, my PSA level dropped from 1480 to 36.”

While Trevor still visits Mater for regular treatment—including bone-strengthening treatments—he feels blessed to have a “good quality of life”—something he attributes to the exceptional care and treatment he has received at Mater Cancer Care Centre.

“My oncologist and his team have saved my life and have given me more time to spend with my wife, children and grandchildren,” he said.

Trevor has also seen the wonderful work being carried out by Mater researchers to improve the lives of men with prostate cancer. 

“There has been great progress in the effectiveness of treatment over the years for prostate cancer sufferers all thanks to ongoing dedicated research, but Mater Research still needs our support to continue this great work that will improve the lives of so many people like myself,” he said.

It’s a reality that every day 68 Queenslanders are diagnosed with cancer. Significant investment in life-saving cancer research is the only way these statistics are going to change. Your support can help make that happen.