My cancer diagnosis was terrifying, but there are more reasons than ever to stay positive

The video released this week by Prue Car, announcing that she is facing her second cancer diagnosis in less than three years, comes as a great shock to the state. But her moving and personal message also showed why Prue is what Premier Chris Minns calls 'the toughest, most resilient colleague' in the NSW government.
The upside is that the deputy premier will be receiving the very best medical treatment, and she can be assured of Australia's best wishes for a speedy recovery so that she can return to work in due course.
Because the cancer has been spotted early in its development, the chances of successful treatment are greatly improved. In recent decades treatments have made huge progress and survival rates are much better. I should know. I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in late 2023. A routine colonoscopy revealed a tumour on my outer bowel rim. A flurry of appointments and tests concluded I had stage three cancer.
My first thought was: 'How can this be?' After all, I was reasonably fit and healthy at age 52. I suffered no symptoms: there was no diarrhoea or constipation, or blood in the toilet bowel. But I do have a family history – my 61-year-old mother had died from bowel cancer, and younger Australians are increasingly being diagnosed with the disease.
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Then I thought: 'How much longer am I going to live?' But the magnificent GenesisCare team at the Royal North Shore Hospital were unfailingly positive, and I was told that my condition was eminently treatable and that I'd probably survive.
My treatment started almost immediately: surgery to remove the tumour, followed by intense chemotherapy. The process was disruptive, even distressing: I used to think that my chemo days amounted to a combination of being hungover and seasick at the same time. I put on weight, felt tired, even discombobulated. I ended my weekly Radio National program, which I had presented for 10 years. I made a will.
Six months of chemo blasted the cancer, but blasted me too. I'm now in remission, though I continue to experience what's called peripheral neuropathy. It's like constant numbness, tingling, hypersensitivity in one's feet and hands, with no relief in sight.
But I've survived thanks to my doctors, (mainly Irish) nurses and loving family and friends. And I still need to pay regular hospital visits for scans, blood tests and check-ups.

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Herald Sun

3 hours ago

• Herald Sun

Burnout luxury retreats: Tired Aussies forking out thousands

Luxury health retreats are increasingly seeing Australians — from executives to struggling parents — seeking help not for mental health conditions, but due to crippling burnout. Exhausted mums and even high-flying young professionals are forking out between $6000 and $25,000 to detox from their phones, eat healthy meals, meditate and do music therapy at retreats across Australia. Owners say that the demand for help with burnout has been rising sharply in recent years and in some cases has become the most common reason people come to them. But Sara Quinn, president of the Australian Psychological Society, warned it was crucial to take steps to prevent burnout and address the causes because otherwise the cycle would repeat. 'It's crucial to address any systemic or workplace related factors that may contribute to burnout.' she said. 'That can include things like unrealistic workloads, lack-of-role or clarity.' Dr Quinn said retreats could be helpful but additional support was needed. Mum-of-three Lyndsey Walker said her experience at a burnout retreat was life-changing. She said running a recruitment agency and raising a family left her excessively fatigued and overly anxious. 'I wasn't sleeping and I lost a lot of weight,' she said. The 45-year-old said that, as a highly anxious person, she found it difficult to recharge and would often feel exhausted. 'I had very little patience for my kids … they weren't getting the best of me,' she said. Realising her burnout was affecting her relationship with her sons and husband, she decided to check into Samadhi Health Retreat in Daylesford, Victoria. Funding the stay herself, she said the $4500 price-tag was worth it because it 'recharged' her. 'It was an investment in my wellbeing,' she said. The founders of the Samadhi retreat, Wayne and Annah Mirananda, said that burnout had become the most common issue people needed addressing when they came to see them. 'Everyone is saying they're burnt out now,' Mr Mirananda said. He said a comprehensive burnout treatment included a 'mentoring coaching person every day'. Additionally therapy in bodywork, guided meditation, breathwork, somatic awareness (mindful attention to physical sensations within the body) and nature immersion were also included. He said guests were put on a menu of healthy vegetarian and vegan meals. 'We've created a beautiful, very private facility,' Mr Mirananda said. Ruth Limkin, the founder and managing director of The Banyans Healthcare, situated in the private hinterlands of Brisbane, also said burnout guests had been rising. The retreat additionally sees people for addiction, mental health issues and eating disorders. 'We've seen a really huge increase in the rise of inquiries for burnout,' Ms Limkin said. She said the most common demographic seeking help was corporate decision-makers aged between 40 and 50 years old. However, they also saw younger patients, in their 30s, who'd had professional success early. 'They've been running so fast, so long, they're running on empty now,' she said. Prices for a burnout retreat ranged from $15,000 to $29,000, Ms Limkin said, with workplaces often picking up the hefty cost. 'We see good return on investment for leadership wellbeing interventions, so it makes good business sense for a business to pay for that,' she said. People might stay as little as five days to two weeks where they would have appointments with psychologists, business coaches and clinical nutritionists. Equine (horse), arts and music therapy are also available. Ms Limkin said they had a huge focus on addressing the cause of the burnout so people could avoid it happening again. 'It's not just about refilling the tank, but helping clients realise how to move forward in a healthy, sustainable rhythm,' she said. Jackie Durnin, who runs the Hinterland Health Retreat in Montville on the Sunshine Coast, also said that burnout had become a common reason people came to stay with them. From entrepreneurs and corporates to busy mums trying to do it all, the 48-year-old said she saw a variety of clients suffering from burnout, whose ages spanned between 30 and 70 years old. Burnout may present differently in each client, with symptoms such as chronic fatigue, exhaustion and brain fog being common, Ms Durnin said. The retreat offers stays between four days up to 28 days or higher as needed, but most clients opt for a week. Costs of treatment vary depending on each client's needs, but seven days generally costs $25,000. Ms Durnin said they took an individualised approach which could include taking blood samples, stool samples and even a brain scan on day one. With a chef on site, meals are generally dairy and gluten free, and doctors on site can refine dietary requirements to suit the individual's needs. Clients also practice a 48-hour digital detox upon arrival, and then receive access to their phone only once per day, Ms Durnin said. Ms Durnin said she had brought in technology from the US, called neurotechnology, which is an emerging technology that interacts with or monitors the nervous system.

9 News

4 hours ago

• 9 News

'Waste of money': Aussie influencers enlisted for anti-vaping campaign

Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here The federal government has launched an anti-vaping campaign using popular online influencers to educate young people on the dangers of nicotine addiction. Six high-profile Australians, including a singer, a two-time Paralympian, and a TikTok star, have been enlisted to clear up misinformation and change the narrative on vaping. Among them are Paralympic swimmer Col Pearse, TikTok star Veronia B, known online as Aunty Salma, Australian singer Cxloe and content creator Tedsthetics. The results of the research show why Australia's new vaping laws need to be strictly enforced, University of Sydney Associate Professor Becky Freeman says. (iStock) Research found these high-profile Australians are particularly popular with young people aged between 14 and 20, the federal government said in a statement. Vaping and the use of e-cigarettes is the most common among young people aged between 18 and 24 in Australia, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The latest campaign comes after Cancer Council research found government education targeting vaping has contributed to it becoming less "socially acceptable". In one video shared by Veronica B in character as Aunty Salma, she pretended to be an older relative asking a family member why they vape. "What are the pros of vaping? Zero, minus one even," she said in the footage. "The risks of vaping… coughing, breathing problems, nicotine dependence, waste of money and it can affect your brain development." Veronica B AKA Aunty Salma shared a video on the negative impacts of vaping. (TikTok/@yourauntysalma) Two-time Paralympian Pearse shared a video with a more serious note, discussing how vaping can impact your performance as an athlete. He also urged young people to avoid being peer-pressured into trying vaping. "It can be hard to say no at first, but back yourself and your friends are there to help and support you along the journey," he said. "You might even help them say no, too." Paralympic swimmer Col Pearse said vaping impacts your performance as an athlete. (TikTok/@Col_Pearse) Each video asks viewers to download the federal government's My QuitBuddy app, which provides tips and information about staying smoke and vape-free. The Australian government said the influencers have already generated a combined eight million views and 650,000 likes during the first phase of the education campaign. "There is an enormous amount of misinformation and online advertising designed to lure teenagers into vaping," Health Minister Mark Butler said. "Together with the Albanese government's world-leading vaping reforms, education is a key step to stopping Big Tobacco companies from luring a new generation into nicotine dependency. "It's pretty clear that teenagers don't watch TV or listen to health ministers, much as I might like them to, which is why we've partnered with influencers that young people listen to: from comedians, to sport stars and gamers, and everyone in between." Australia smoking health government national CONTACT US

7NEWS

a day ago

• 7NEWS

Physically present, emotionally checked out: the biggest risk to mental wellbeing

You're not burned out. You're not depressed. You still turn up to work, coffee in hand, emails open. Something's missing, though. But you can't quite put your finger on it. This is what experts call languishing. A new national survey from mental wellbeing experts Be Well Co has cast a spotlight on what might be one of the biggest hidden threats to productivity. Not sick days, but 'presenteeism': employees physically present but emotionally checked out. Running on autopilot. 'It's not about people not coming to work; it's about them being mentally absent,' said Dr Matthew Iasiello, Be Well Co mental health researcher and co-author of the study that canvassed hundreds of working Australians. A crisis in plain sight Many employees aren't calling in sick, they're just quietly disengaging. That disengagement is driving a $7 billion annual loss to the economy, according to The Productivity Commission. Dr Joep van Agteren, chief executive of Be Well Co, said the numbers only tell half the story. 'When people languish at work they can feel stuck, directionless and demotivated,' he said. 'Tracking languishing can help us quantify and humanise the hurt that goes alongside the costs, showing us that presenteeism is damaging in the long run for the vitality of organisations and the people that work for them.' Put simply, employees aren't just less productive. They're less innovative, more withdrawn, and more disconnected from their jobs, teams, and even themselves. Present but not thriving The research reveals over three-quarters of languishing employees felt unsupported by their peers, managers, or organisations. Dr Maike Neuhaus, founder of The Flourishing Doc and psychologist in Brisbane, Queensland, calls this a dangerous blind spot. 'It's not the loud crisis that gets attention, but rather the quiet disconnection, disengagement, and loss of meaning that fly under the radar,' she said 'The fact that 76 per cent of participants felt unsupported shows just how invisible this state can be.' And it's not just the workplace that suffers. A staggering 91 per cent of those who reported languishing at work also reported languishing at home — proving the malaise doesn't stop at the office door. 'Wellbeing is never neatly compartmentalised,' Neuhaus added. More than just a mood Unlike burnout, which often comes with high stress and exhaustion, languishing can feel like 'blah'. That's how some survey participants described it — not distressed, but not thriving. Emotionally flat, unmotivated, just there. Many employees described themselves as 'going through the motions' or 'existing, not living'. It's this subtlety that makes languishing so dangerous and so easy to ignore. What can be done? While leaders often focus on absenteeism or obvious drops in performance, experts say they need to start paying attention to the quiet signs of disengagement. Addressing this isn't just about fixing what's broken, Neuhaus said. It's about shifting the focus towards what thriving truly looks like in the workplace. That opposite state is known as flourishing, where energy, purpose and connection return. According to Neuhaus, it has little to do with surface-level perks. 'Flourishing isn't about perks or resilience posters,' she said. 'It's about job design, autonomy, mastery, purpose, and belonging. 'Organisations must upskill leaders to recognise early signs of disengagement and act systemically. 'This is not an individual deficit issue; it's often a cultural and structural one. Be Well Co is also urging employers to rethink how they measure well-being and performance. Instead of relying solely on productivity spreadsheets, they encourage employers to listen to their employees and redesign workplaces. While workplaces are responsible for building better environments, there are also things everyone can do. 'Languishing often begins with a loss of agency,' Neuhaus explains. 'One powerful first step is to reconnect with small, meaningful actions — something we call micro-moments of flourishing. 'This might include setting an intention for the day, actively engaging with a colleague, or seeking novelty and progress in even minor ways.' Research shows these small efforts can reignite motivation, rebuild connection, and help shift from languishing to flourishing. Because at the end of the day, thriving at work isn't about powering through, it's about finding meaning in the everyday.