Sydney Swans AFLW senior coach Scott Gowans will undergo surgery after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Gowans had medical tests for a separate issue last year, during which an abnormality was detected. Further investigation uncovered a tumour, which fortunately has not spread.  

Gowans will undergo surgery in the coming weeks and is expected to return ahead of the start of the season.  He said after overcoming the initial shock he feels thankful the cancer was detected early.

“If there’s one positive to take from this it’s that the tumour can be removed and hasn’t spread, which may not have been the case if it wasn’t discovered so early,” Gowans said.  

“I’m extremely lucky that my doctor pushed for further investigation into something that wasn’t quite right – I didn’t have any symptoms and I was otherwise feeling ok.

“What I hadn’t done was have a check-up for prostate cancer, so if there’s one message to come from this experience it’s to get checked, and urge your loved ones to get checked, because it could save their life.”

Gowans will step away from the club for around six weeks as he recovers from the surgery. Assistant coach Nick Davis will take on the senior coaching duties in his absence.

The Sydney Swans asks that Scott Gowans’ privacy and that of his family be respected at this time.