Studio Ten’s Jonathan Coleman reveals secret year-long battle with prostate cancer

Studio 10’s Jonathan ‘Jono’ Coleman revealed this week he has been secretly battling prostate cancer after being diagnosed in June 2017.

The 62-year-old had been fulfilling his TV and radio duties while receiving cancer treatment, including 18 weeks of chemotherapy and seven weeks of radiotherapy.

But on Thursday, Jono shared his private health struggle on Studio 10, and also provided updates via 2GB radio and The Australian Women’s Weekly.  

 

‘I don’t know if I’ll ever be clear of it’: Studio 10’s Jono Coleman (centre) shared his secret year-long battle with prostate cancer on Thursday. Pictured with his fellow Studio 10 panellists

During a segment on 2GB, Jono said: ‘I don’t know if I’ll ever be clear of [the cancer]… it’s virtually gone, but I don’t believe that.’

He went on to claim that his former GP failed to detect his cancer early, alleging that they only performed a blood test and insisted a digital examination wasn’t necessary.

‘My message, I guess, to people and men all over Australia is “get yourself checked”. If you’re not happy with just the PSA test or the blood test, say, “I want a digital examination”,’ Jonathan told radio host Steve Price.

Battler: Jono, 62, had been fulfilling his TV and radio duties while receiving cancer treatment, including 18 weeks of chemotherapy and seven weeks of radiotherapy, following his diagnosis in June 2017. Pictured with his Studio 10 co-host Sarah Harris (left)

Battler: Jono, 62, had been fulfilling his TV and radio duties while receiving cancer treatment, including 18 weeks of chemotherapy and seven weeks of radiotherapy, following his diagnosis in June 2017. Pictured with his Studio 10 co-host Sarah Harris (left)

He later said on Studio 10: ‘My old GP, stress “old GP”, told me I didn’t need a digital test and just do the PSA. But when my PSA went up to seven I went and got the referral up at Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital and within five minutes [the doctor] said “Yes, cancer.”‘

Jono is using his experience to educate other men on the importance of regular checkups, as one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 85, according to Cancer Council Australia.

But Jono hasn’t let the cancer diagnosis affect his spirit, claiming he has just continued his life as normal.

‘That’s my defence mechanism, being a positive and happy person,’ he explained.

Besides family members, Jono only told a few ‘key people’ about his cancer, including his 2UE Talking Lifestyle co-host, executives at Network Ten, as well as Studio 10 panellists Sarah Harris, Joe Hildebrand and Ita Buttrose. 

'I would go, "Okay God, it's me"': While Jonathan has kept a positive attitude throughout his cancer battle, he revealed on Thursday that he would often pray while in the hospital. Pictured with his wife Margot Fitzpatrick (right)

‘I would go, “Okay God, it’s me”‘: While Jonathan has kept a positive attitude throughout his cancer battle, he revealed on Thursday that he would often pray while in the hospital. Pictured with his wife Margot Fitzpatrick (right)

During a special segment on Thursday’s Studio 10 dedicated to Jono’s health, the TV personality spoke at length about his journey and how he kept his diagnosis secret.

In an interview with Sarah Harris, Jonathan became tearful as he showed his colleague around St Vincent’s Hospital’s Kinghorn Centre with his doctor.

‘I’m not a religious person, but the more I’m lying there having some scan done on a machine I would go, “Okay God, it’s me,”‘ Jono explained.

Missed opportunity: During a segment on 2GB, Jono claimed that his former GP failed to detect his cancer early, alleging that they only performed a blood test and insisted a digital examination wasn't necessary. Pictured with co-host Sarah and wife Margot on Studio 10

Missed opportunity: During a segment on 2GB, Jono claimed that his former GP failed to detect his cancer early, alleging that they only performed a blood test and insisted a digital examination wasn’t necessary. Pictured with co-host Sarah and wife Margot on Studio 10

'I used an ice cap': 

‘I used an ice cap: Jono, who is known for his bouffant hair, initially feared people would discover he had cancer if he lost his hair through chemotherapy treatments. However, he successfully kept his full head of hair by using an ice cap at the hospital

Jono, who is known for his bouffant hair, initially feared people would discover he had cancer if he lost his hair through chemotherapy treatments.

However, he successfully kept his full head of hair by using an ice cap at the hospital.

While admitting it was a painful experience, he joked: ‘I lost most of the hair on my arms and stuff and down in the nether regions – but I wasn’t going to put ice down there!’

The Studio 10 hosts wept throughout the emotional segment and afterwards embraced Jono for a group hug.

'There was never a moment we fell in a heap and cried our heart out': Jonathan's wife Margot (left) claimed their family were 'natural fighters' and never conceded defeat

‘There was never a moment we fell in a heap and cried our heart out’: Jonathan’s wife Margot (left) claimed their family were ‘natural fighters’ and never conceded defeat

Jono’s wife Margot Fitzpatrick also told The Australian Women’s Weekly on Thursday: ‘There was never a moment we fell in a heap and cried our heart out. We were more like, “What’s the next step?” We’re natural fighters.’

Over the past year, Jono has lived by the motto ‘the show must go on’ and rejected offers by Network Ten management to take personal leave because he would ‘rather be busy and have fun than sit around.’

He told AWW: ‘My feeling about cancer is take it seriously, but don’t freak out. Just have the tests and enjoy life because you never know how much you have left. I’ve been very lucky.’

'Enjoy life because you never know how much you have left': While appearing on Studio Ten's panel on Thursday, the hosts all held tissues to their faces as they wept during his segment

‘Enjoy life because you never know how much you have left’: While appearing on Studio Ten’s panel on Thursday, the hosts all held tissues to their faces as they wept during his segment



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