A simple test proved to be the difference between life and death for Australind teacher and father of four Ross Hillier, who was told he had developed prostate cancer on his 18th wedding anniversary.

Hillier is one of the more than 1.3 million Australian men diagnosed with the disease since records began in 1982.

Research has led to new warnings that all direct male relatives of those that develop prostate cancer now face double the risk of diagnosis.

It was a routine check-up in March, booked to “check a few niggles now that I’m in my 40s”, that became one of the best decisions of Hillier’s life.

Despite having no family history of cancer, Hillier’s doctor recommended he get a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test, which proved to be a life-saver.

“It was a conscious decision not to b

See Full Page