NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car has been diagnosed with breast cancer, her second battle with cancer within three years.
‘A recent screening has detected breast cancer, and I will now begin immediate treatment,’ she said.
‘Thankfully, because the cancer was caught early, my doctors are optimistic about my recovery — and so am I.
‘I’ve faced this challenge before, and I’m determined to beat it again. Testing has confirmed this is unrelated to my previous diagnosis.’
She urged Aussie women to get screened for breast cancer.
‘Just be really vigilant with with your checks, getting it early (because) this is what’s happened in my case. (It) is so important.’
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the ‘thoughts of the entire government are with our colleague and our friend Prue Car as she begins treatment following her breast cancer diagnosis’.
‘I know Prue well. She is a fighter, and I know she will face this challenge with the same determination and grace that she brings to everything she does,’ he said in a statement.
Ms Car has previously fought off a shock cancer diagnosis, sharing in July 2022 that doctors found she had a large tumour on her kidney.
She took leave while undergoing treatment and vowed to return to politics, becoming deputy premier of NSW when Labor won government in March the following year.
Testing has confirmed her current diagnosis is unrelated to that of 2022.
In her video message to the community on Tuesday, she asked ns to be patient with her.
‘Bear with me while I get this done, while I fight this off,’ she said.
‘I’ll just be taking this time to get myself well and spend time with my young family.’
Her portfolios of Minister for Education and Early Learning and the Minister for Western Sydney will be taken over by fellow minister Courtney Houssos while she undergoes treatment.