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🇦🇺 Australia /Health & Science

While teaching about pancreatic cancer, John realised he ticked every box

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Clinical worker John McNeur recognized his own symptoms of pancreatic cancer while teaching about the disease in a remote Northern Territory community.
  • Diagnosed with stage four inoperable pancreatic cancer, McNeur was given a grim prognosis but has since focused on creating a legacy of information to help others facing the disease.
  • Pancreatic cancer is Australia's third-leading cancer killer, with a low five-year survival rate of just 13%, and is increasingly becoming more common.

Clinical worker John McNeur experienced a stark personal realization of pancreatic cancer's symptoms while conducting a health workshop in Timber Creek, Northern Territory. As he educated Aboriginal health coaches about chronic conditions, McNeur found himself mentally checking off every symptom associated with pancreatic cancer, including back and abdominal pain, nausea, digestive issues, weight loss, and blood clots.

I had what I thought was an evidence-based belief around a reason for all of my symptoms.

— John McNeurDescribing how he initially explained away his symptoms.

McNeur had previously rationalized his symptoms, attributing nausea and stomach pain to kidney stones and back pain to a spinal fracture. "I just kept on giving myself excuses that I didn't have it because I had far too much to do in the rest of my life," he stated. However, two weeks later, upon developing jaundice, a key indicator of the disease, he sought medical attention in Darwin.

Doctors delivered the devastating news that McNeur had stage four inoperable pancreatic cancer, with a prognosis of likely not surviving until Christmas. He described the diagnosis as "really confronting," especially after being told at one point he had only 72 hours to live following chemotherapy. This shock, however, spurred him into action.

I just kept on giving myself excuses that I didn't have it because I had far too much to do in the rest of my life.

— John McNeurExplaining his denial about his health condition.

Now facing his mortality, McNeur, described by friends as a "delusional optimist," is dedicated to "living with and beyond pancreatic cancer." His mission is to leave a legacy of information that could ease the journey for others diagnosed with the disease. Pancreatic cancer is a significant health challenge in Australia, ranking as the third-leading cancer killer. The five-year survival rate is a mere 13%, with only three out of ten individuals surviving one year post-diagnosis. Michelle Stewart, CEO of Pankind, noted that what was once considered a rare cancer is now becoming more common, partly attributed to factors like smoking.

The phrase I formed was living with and beyond pancreatic cancer, and the beyond is leaving a bit of a legacy of information that might make someone else's journey just a little bit easier.

— John McNeurArticulating his mission to help others after his diagnosis.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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