By Amy Campion
When former NBL player Paul Maley felt a hard lump beneath his left arm one night in May 2023, breast cancer was not what he expected. Like many people, he had thought of it as something that only affected women. Yet about one in 600 Australian men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
Within weeks, Paul learnt that the cancer had spread to two lymph nodes. He underwent surgery, followed by six months of chemotherapy and a month of radiotherapy. The treatment was tough and unpredictable. Paul describes chemotherapy as like a slot machine, with exhaustion, nausea, dizziness, headaches and nerve pain arriving in different combinations throughout the day.
There is kindness and positivity in how Paul talks, but also a gentle caution that comes from recognising the luck he has had in being able to draw on physical and emotional resources that may not be available to everyone.
His 12 years in the NBL gave him useful habits. Paul knows how to follow a plan, work through setbacks and rebuild after physical strain. When he could, he kept moving, whether taking a walk, riding his bike, or surfing near his Somers home. It helped him physically while also supporting his mental wellbeing.
The support of his wife, children, sister and friends was also vital. With a natural instinct to protect those around him, learning to be vulnerable and accept help did not come easily. Yet allowing others to support him has deepened those relationships and his appreciation of care.
This empathy is apparent in his ambassador and advocacy work for Breast Cancer Network Australia, where his message centres on attention and education. Three years on, Paul’s health is good, but it might not have been. “I think I’m here today because I acted immediately,” he said, urging people to notice changes in their body and seek advice quickly if something feels wrong. He also encourages people to learn what they can about their illness and treatment, as education can provide agency.
Paul is deeply grateful for Australia’s health system and the research and funding that has made breast cancer more treatable than many other cancers. That gratitude runs through every thread of conversation with him. Getting cancer was unlucky, but diagnosis, treatment and recovery have also been transformative. He feels fortunate to have had good medical care and strong support, but also the chance to reflect on what matters most.
Recently, while surfing with his son, Paul found himself surrounded by a pod of dolphins that circled and played with them for hours. It was a magical experience, and one he was careful not to take for granted. Life after cancer seems a little richer and more precious now.
For Paul, cancer has been less a battle than a process of healing. Early action saved his life. What followed taught him that strength can also mean accepting care, being slower to judge, and recognising how much of life is held in our connections with one another.
