A visit to a GP has probably saved the life of Altona Meadows resident Kevin Nightingale.
But like many men of his vintage, it took some prodding from his wife Karin before he would see a doctor about a persistent cough.
Mr Nightingale, 74, pictured, thought his lungs were clearing out muck after he quit a 60-year smoking habit in February, but a visit to the doctor revealed cancer in his lung.
“I went straight away to Footscray Hospital and they wanted to operate. But during that month, I had a visit to my cardiologist in Williamstown and [she found] there was something wrong.
“When she found out about the cancer, she said, ‘You can’t operate on his cancer because he’s got trouble with his heart’.”
Doctors were going to do the bypass surgery first, but they feared the cancer could grow to an inoperable size, so surgeons did both operations at once.
Now, Mr Nightingale is encouraging other men to attend the Spanner in the Works program at Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed, 280 Queen Street, Altona Meadows, on October 10, when South Western Melbourne Medicare Local will conduct free men’s health checks.
Men can turn up any time between 11.30am and 4pm.
» Call Samantha Marnell, 8731 6522 or email smarnell@swmml.org.au.
