abc.net.au/news/victorian-politician-fiona-patten-diagnosed-with-kidney-cancer/101459758Reason Party Leader and Victorian upper house MP Fiona Patten has been diagnosed with cancer and will undergo surgery in coming weeks to remove one of her kidneys."The belief is that the disease has not spread and that I should make a quick and full recovery," she said.
"So many of us are touched by cancer these days – as patients, friends, relatives, carers, and health and medical staff. I have wonderful support medically and personally and realise how lucky I am in this respect." Ms Patten acknowledged that the timing of her diagnosis was "unfortunate", with the Victorian state election coming up in November."The surgery will interrupt my election campaign a little and no doubt I will be campaigning for some of that time from a hospital bed," she said.She has pushed for social reforms including voluntary assisted dying laws, the decriminalisation of sex work, and safe access zones to abortion clinics.
Ms Patten said many people who are diagnosed with cancer can't afford private health insurance or the best medical care. "Many people stay silent upon a cancer diagnosis and are fearful of telling people because they will be judged or pitied. I want people to be able to talk about their health, be that physical or mental," she said.
Good
Cancer rates go through the roof in the jabbed population.
All the best
Oh no! Really sht for you FionaPattenMLC so sorry
I don’t often agree with her, but she is one classy woman with a lot of integrity. All the very best to her.
meanwhile poor people in victoria can't even get an appointment at a GP and victorian emergency departments now have legislation that allows them to refuse service to whoever they want (or to be more specific - anyone who can't pay the bribe)
I despise Patten as a politician, but having had the same cancer and same surgery, I would not wish it on anybody. She's in for a world of pain for a few days. I wish her the best of luck.
Good luck to one of the more effective politicians we have in Victoria
Best of Luck with the surgery, Fiona. Hope all goes well.
Join the Club .... L or R?
Best of luck to her...
SAD. SHE'S A FIGHTER.