SHAYNA JACK: 'It was supposed to be an ordinary Sunday night. Then my dad sat us down.'

There are moments in life that shake you to your core, moments that remind you just how fragile everything really is.

For me, one of those moments came on an ordinary Sunday night. My family had gathered for our usual dinner, something we always try to make time for, despite how busy life gets. It was like any other Sunday — until it wasn't.

That night, my dad, Stu, sat us down and told us he had prostate cancer.

I don't think I'll ever forget that moment. Hearing the word 'cancer' left me breathless. My heart pounded, and my mind raced with terrifying possibilities. Was I going to lose him? Was this the beginning of something we weren't ready for? I looked at my dad, the man who had always been my rock, and suddenly, he felt more fragile than ever.

Watch: In the 2024 Paris Olympics, Shayna Jack was seen hugging her mum and dad. Post continues after video.

Dad was 58 when he was diagnosed. Thankfully, he had been proactive about his health and had a routine PSA test— a simple blood test that can detect prostate cancer early. That test saved his life. Without it, we might not have caught it in time.

My dad has always been one of the most important people in my life. He's my constant supporter, and the person I can be completely open and honest with, no matter what. He listens without judgment, gives the best advice, and has always been my safe place in this world.

So when I found out he had cancer, I felt utterly helpless. As an athlete, I'm used to challenges — pushing through pain, training through exhaustion, facing setbacks. But this was different. This wasn't something I could train harder for or fight on his behalf. This was out of my control, and that scared me more than anything.

"When I found out he had cancer, I felt utterly helpless," writes Shayna Jack. Image: Supplied

Dad decided to have surgery to remove his prostate and stop the cancer from spreading. I was so proud of him for making that decision — doing what was necessary to protect his future. But that didn't make it any easier to watch him go through it.

The fear of the unknown was the hardest part. Would the surgery be successful? Would the cancer come back? What side effects would he have? No one talks enough about the mental and physical toll of cancer treatment — not just on the person going through it, but on their entire family. There were days when I felt overwhelmed with worry, but I knew I had to be strong for him.

Before Dad's diagnosis, prostate cancer wasn't something I thought about often. It wasn't a conversation we had around the dinner table. But after watching him go through it, I realised just how many families are impacted by this disease.

Shayna Jack with family. Image: Supplied.

That's why, when I entered I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, I knew exactly which charity I wanted to support: the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). I wanted to use my platform to raise awareness — not just for the men who might be at risk, but for their families too.

Joining PCFA as an ambassador was a natural next step. I wanted to help break the stigma around men's health and encourage more conversations about prostate cancer. There's nothing weak about getting tested; in fact, it's one of the bravest things a man can do for himself and his loved ones.

If you're reading this and your dad, grandpa, brother, or uncle hasn't had a PSA test — encourage them to get one. It's a simple test that can save lives. My dad's early diagnosis gave us options. It gave us hope. And ultimately, it gave me more time with the man who means the world to me.

I also think about the future. One day, I might have a son who will need to be aware of his own health risks. My partner, my friends, my family — prostate cancer isn't just a men's issue. It's a family issue. And the more we talk about it, the more lives we can save.

To every daughter who has been where I am, who has faced the fear of losing their dad — I see you. It's a tough road, but you don't have to walk it alone. There is support, there is hope, and there is strength in speaking up.

For my dad, and for all the men we love — let's keep this conversation going.

Read more about men's health:

• 'On the outside, I had the perfect life. But I was putting on an act.'

• 'I work with young men on a daily basis. Here's what I tell them about mental health.'

• 'Last year, I fell into a deep depression. For a long time, it made me feel less of a man.'

Feature image: Supplied.