Mr Deadman was diagnosed five years ago after a routine GP check up.
His PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen ) levels were increasing and his doctor recommended a biopsy. He describes being told he had cancer as "mild shock".
"Then it was what are we going to do about it."
Though radiation was discussed, he opted for surgery as treatment for the cancer. It was done in Palmerston North Hospital in 2010, eight months after the biopsy.
His recuperation went reasonably well, though he may have gone back to work in Wanganui a bit too quickly.
"I may have pushed that a bit. The surgery is extensive, you are cut from the stomach to the base of the penis. You might think you are healed on the outside but you have to make sure everything is healed on the inside as well. The surgery goes through two to three layers of muscle so it takes time."
His positive attitude to the diagnosis is in contrast to men's well-known dislike of rectal exams, essential to detect prostate cancer. "A lot go 'oh no'.
"But it's not me that has to do it."
Known as the silent killer, men often can't detect prostate cancer on their own and there is no way of avoiding such exams. Mr Deadman said there are two types of prostate cancer, one more aggressive than the other. And while prostate cancer may not kill you in itself, it can metastasize to bones or lymph nodes and that will, he said.
That's why he didn't muck around.
He has no problem talking openly to people about his cancer and its ramifications, though he says men can be reluctant to discuss their health.
"It doesn't come up often now but after my surgery I was willing to discuss if it people asked."
He "popped his head in" to last year's Relay for Life as his wife Carol was taking part.
The couple has lived in Wanganui since 2001. Before that Mr Deadman had lived all his life in Waverley, working for the former power board as a faults man, later a supervisor and "jack of all trades"
He is a member of the Men's Cancer Support Group in Wanganui. It's run by the Cancer Society and meets on the first Monday of each month at 3 Koromiko Rd, Wanganui.
"It's non-judgmental. There's advice and talk and what's said at the meeting stays at the meeting.
"One of the best things is seeing people who were diagnosed with cancer 15, 20 years ago who are still hale and hearty.".
Asked how he feels about things five years after diagnosis, Carol says: "every day above ground is a good day."
Mr Deadman agrees.
"I'm still here."
Relay for Life, the 24 hour community fundraiser for the Cancer Society, is at Cooks Gardens, Wanganui on March 1-2.