“I’ve been really touched and surprised by people getting in touch with me since the article appeared,” he said.

“I have had phone calls, emails and people have spoken to me face-to-face, including people I don’t even know.

“The first was when I was on my early morning walk in Narooma at 6.30am on the day the article came out.

“I also got a call from a friend who didn’t even know I had had prostate cancer and he talked about how he had recovered from it.

“Another friend rang who has just been diagnosed and didn’t know what to expect.”

Since his recovery from surgery and return to mayoral duties, Cr Brown has decided to campaign for people to get tested.

“I want to use my profile to raise awareness of prostate cancer,” he said.

“Twenty thousand Australians are diagnosed with it every year, and 3300 die from it each year.”

Cr Brown said he had no symptoms of prostate cancer when he was 

tested.

“I went because my father had had it,” he said.

“Even if you are only 50, you should get checked.”

Cr Brown said his surgery had been successful, but he was dealing with incontinence.

“I am doing pelvic floor exercises to stimulate nerves which will help with control,” he said.

He said that if anyone wanted to discuss prostate cancer issues with him they could call 0418 279 215.

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