Barnaby Joyce reveals cancer scare after being re-elected in New England

While his supporters were celebrating his retention of the New South Wales seat of New England on Saturday night, Barnaby Joyce was quietly preparing for cancer surgery.

The Nationals MP, and former deputy prime minister, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Mr Joyce, 58, says he received the diagnosis following a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, which he took at the insistence of his general practitioner. 

"I had a PSA test, which all men should get," he said. 

Mr Joyce said he returned an "elevated" result, leading to an MRI and biopsy before his diagnosis. 

"Prostate cancer, if you get it early, is very, very treatable; in fact, about 97 per cent successful," he said.

"I'll have the operation on Monday and I will then have a couple of days in hospital and will recuperate after that."

Mr Joyce returned to his former school in Woolbrook to cast his vote on Saturday, and the seat of New England was called in his favour later that night with a swing in his favour. 

The maverick MP is positive about his prognosis and his capacity to continue in the role. 

"If I thought it was very serious, of course I'd resign, but my doctors or surgeons say, 'You're very lucky you've got it early.'"

Having had no symptoms to indicate anything was wrong, Mr Joyce said his experience should encourage other men to get tested. 

"I was lucky because I've got a very diligent general practitioner," he said.

"She insisted on me getting a PSA and wasn't I lucky that she did that, because otherwise we'd be having a different conversation in a couple of years' time." 

Mr Joyce said the election campaign was a "welcome distraction" and he was adamant about keeping his diagnosis private during that time. 

"I just didn't want to distract from the campaign," he said.

"I wanted the campaign to focus on the campaign and I didn't think this issue needed to be a part of that."

Coalition to regroup after landslide 

Mr Joyce has also given a typically blunt appraisal of the federal election.

"We lost, didn't we, and you can't spin it any other way," he said.

"If you do and try to sort of embellish it and gild the lily, then you are not fixing up the problems that you had."

On a catastrophic night for the Coalition, Mr Joyce was returned with an increased majority.

He said there were similar swings towards the Nationals in seats such as Riverina, Flynn and Dawson.

"But unfortunately we have lost a senator and we didn't win back the seat of Calare."

Mr Joyce was non-committal when asked about the performance of party leader David Littleproud, who comfortably retained his seat of Maranoa.

"I'll leave everything to the party room for their discussions on that," he said.

"As we know after any election that is an issue that is discussed."

When asked about whether he had any aspirations to return to the party's top job, the former leader said he was "not contending that at this time at all".

"But once more I'll leave that to the party room, I think we need to have an honest conversation," he said.

A dignified exit

Mr Joyce was more effusive when asked about departing Liberal leader Peter Dutton, who lost his own seat of Dickson to the ALP.

"Peter has done a tremendous job for our nation, and no-one can ever take that away from him," he said.

"To go out in the very dignified way he did on election night was the best conclusion you can hope for in the situation you find yourself."

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