A 72-year-old man with cancer still wants to sail around Australia

ABC Far North

Topic: Death and Dying

Friday, 26 June 2026, at 10:44 am

David Burston wants to sail around Australia despite having stage 4 cancer.

David got a cancer diagnosis last year.

He bought a yacht to fix and sail around Australia.

David did not feel very sick at first. He got up to use the bathroom at night and had a small limp.

David said, 'I did not think I had cancer.'

A PET scan showed David had prostate cancer that spread to his bones and lymph nodes.

Doctors said David might live for two to ten more years.

David made a plan for the end of his life.

But he still wants to sail.

David said, 'I will sail if I can.'

David tries to see his cancer as just a fact.

He is fixing his yacht to sail around Australia next year if he is healthy.

David had radiation and hormone therapy, which helped his cancer.

The therapy gave David some side effects, but it was worth it.

David knows his plans can change.

David said, 'I am not safe from my cancer.'

Hope when you are dying

People who are dying can still make plans and have hope.

A professor said people want to have hope even when they know they are dying.

The professor said doctors should help patients have realistic hopes.

Some people who are dying get depressed.

What you think about can change your life

Prostate cancer can be treated, but it is not curable if found late.

Many people with stage 4 prostate cancer live for five years or more.

David is happy that cancer treatments are getting better.

David would rather work on his boat than think about his cancer.

David does not want to be afraid of his cancer.

David said, 'My cancer is just a fact.'

David believes that what you think about can change your life.

David likes to think about his boat instead of his cancer.

David goes to a hardware store to buy things for his boat.

David is making his boat easier to sail.

David is still working and trying to be healthy.

David eats healthy food to help his body.

David said, 'I smell like fish after eating sardines.'

David wants to help himself get better.

The last adventure

David wants to sail safely, so he is planning for emergencies.

David is making his boat easier to sail for an older person.

David will check his health while he is sailing.

David can stop sailing if he gets sick.

David is not afraid of dying, just of not living.

David is excited to sail and meet new people.

David will take things one day at a time.

David said, 'I will sail if my body says it is okay.'

David might choose to die if his life is not good.

David thinks death is a part of life.

Friday, 26 June 2026, at 10:44 am

Pratique d'écoute