Footy and TV star husband of former Channel Seven newsreader is shocked by news he has ‘old man cancer’ despite being only 47
- Melbourne player Geelong received shocking news from the doctor
- Advice from a close friend convinced him to get checked
- Now wants other Australian men not to take any risks
Former AFL star Clint Bizzell has used his shock cancer diagnosis to warn other men to get checked for ‘older cancer’ even if they think they are too young to fall victim to it.
The Geelong and Melbourne Demons veteran – who is married to ex-Channel Seven star Jennifer Adams – used Instagram to reveal his prostate cancer diagnosis and remind Aussie boys it can happen to them no matter their age.
‘This post is not easy for me. But I’m here to pay it forward because it could simply save your life,” he began.
“As we embrace the season of @movember_co, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to share that I was diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. I’m only 47.
Bizzell (pictured with wife Jennifer Adams and their children) had her check-up on the advice of a close friend who was dying of cancer
The former footy star and his wife traveled the world and across Australia while presenting Channel Ten show Places We Go (pictured)
“It’s an older person’s cancer,” everyone tells me.
“Well, I’m here to tell you that’s not always the case. There are more and more men like me.
‘Luckily I didn’t wait for the mandatory ’50-year-old medical check-up with the GP’.’
Bizzell then revealed the heartbreaking story behind his decision to get checked for cancer that he might not have otherwise sought advice about.
‘I was fortunate enough to receive a message from a dear friend David Flockhart, who after being diagnosed with colon cancer (also at a young age, and also living a healthy, active life) said to me: ‘Mate, if anything is not quite right, just go to the doctor and have it checked.”
Bizzell (pictured with his wife and Australian country music star Troy Cassar-Daley) has been given a clean bill of health after having his prostate removed
The 47-year-old scored 79 goals during his 163-game career with the Geelong Cats (pictured) and Melbourne Demons
“I only went to the doctor’s office because of Dave… after he passed away.”
The veteran of 163 AFL games explained he considers himself “one of the lucky ones” after having his prostate removed and being cleared by his doctor.
He urged other Australian men to get checked for the disease if they have symptoms, have a family history of the condition – and even if neither applies, to still get checked if they are over 40 years.
Bizzell and Adams both hosted Channel Ten’s Places We Go travel program, in which they traveled to some of the most spectacular destinations in Australia and abroad – even kayaking with whales in Antarctica and competing in a bronco-branding competition in the outback.
Bizzell also had a character role in Channel Ten’s Neighbors after quitting footy
He named Mitchell Falls in Washington as his favorite natural wonder in Australia, with Jervis Bay in NSW as his best beach and diving with whale sharks on the world-famous Ningaloo Reef as his best adventure in his home country.
Bizzell was inducted into the AFL’s Queensland Football Hall of Fame after scoring 79 goals with the Cats and Demons from 1996 to 2007.
He also represented Australia in the International Rules series against Ireland in 2003, and had a guest stint as the character Adam Clarke in Neighbors after he retired.