Ex-Proteas batsman Daryll Cullinan confirms shock cancer scare

Former Proteas cricketer Daryll Cullinan has opened up about his recent cancer diagnosis that came ‘out of the blue’.

Cullinan is one of the most well-known former Proteas cricketers, having played 70 Tests for South Africa between 1993-2001.

He boasted a highest score of 275 not out and averaged an impressive 44.21 with the bat.

ALSO READ: Shaun Pollock to hand roses to Top 10 Comrades Marathon finishers

The batsman, who is now 56, also played 138 ODIs for the Proteas.

In a wide-ranging interview on The Cricket Nomad podcast earlier this week, Cullinan has now notably opened up about his recent health scare.

“I’ve been dealing with prostate cancer. Just out of the blue, a routine check, and then got diagnosed. “I had it removed but it was still about … I’ve been through radiation and hormone therapy, which I’m still under. But I’m still on track for [a] cure.

“Last Thursday I got my first proper zero reading, but the hormone therapy plays a role in starving the cancer cells because they live off testosterone. And that’s what the hormone therapy does, it blocks your production of testosterone,” he said.

ALSO READ: Dolphins assemble formidable team for next season

Cullinan also urged others to make sure they are going for regular health checks.

“Go and get [tested]. Have your blood [samples] taken. I had no noticeable signs of it. There must be hundreds of thousands of men out there with no noticeable signs that are living [with it] until it’s too late.”

ALSO READ: Paul Harris calls on Proteas to pick Faf du Plessis

YOU CAN WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH DARYLL CULLINAN BELOW:

ALSO READ: Proteas star says dealing with ‘noise’ comes with the job