A sports medicine and injury expert from Toowong was named the 2020 Senior Australian of Year. Peter Dornan AM is a physiotherapist by profession for over 50 years and his work as a proponent of prostate cancer awareness earned him the prestigious recognition.
Using his knowledge and expertise in human anatomy, Mr Dornan developed a successful management program for prostate cancer patients dealing with incontinence, a common complication during cancer treatments. He won a grant to thoroughly research the relationship between prostate cancer and incontinence and came up with a globally-recognised system for helping men with pelvic pain manage their condition.
Mr Dornan was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996. After a series of treatments, he placed an ad in the newspaper inviting other patients to meet, discuss and gain support for their experience.
Since then, he has been working with fellow prostate cancer patients and founded the largest prostate cancer support group in Australia. By 2011, Mr Dornan was named in the Board of the Cancer Council Queensland, where he succeeded in raising funds for the organisation.
Mr Dornan published the book “Conquering Incontinence: A New and Physical Approach to a Freer Lifestyle,” where he detailed a comprehensive approach to the consequences of prostate cancer. At age 60, he celebrated his recovery from prostate cancer by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Through his proactive response to his devastating condition, the men’s health advocate continues to earn much professional success as a physiotherapist by co-founding the Queensland Branch of Sports Medicine Australia and the Australian Sports Medicine Foundation. Sports teams like the Queensland Reds, the Wallabies and Kangaroos consult on his expertise as well.
