AFL star wants to be treated ‘normal’ during cancer treatment

Hawthorn star Jarryd Roughead has opened up for the first time since revealing his latest cancer battle.

The triple-premiership forward confirmed he will start treatment on a melanoma found on his lung next week and is likely to take a year recuperating.

Roughead admitted the news of his latest diagnosis was difficult to swallow.

“When the news hit two weeks ago it was a shock. I didn’t really believe it,” Roughead told a packed media conference on Tuesday morning.

The 29-year-old also urged everyone to get themselves checked.

“This can happen to anyone,” he said.

“If everyone can get checked (for melanoma) that’s a good thing.”

Roughead, who missed two AFL matches last year when a melanoma was cut from his lip, said he wanted everyone to keep treating him as ‘normal’ as he was continuing to live his life.

JR: I feel fine. I know what we have to do now… I’m still walking around fine, going out and having dinner.

— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) May 30, 2016

“I heard rumours I was going to retire today. But I’m 29 and I’ve got two years on a deal – hopefully longer – that’s the plan,” Roughead said, putting to bed speculation the cancer battle could spell the end to his career.