Labour hopeful says he's in the clear five years after cancer scare

Mr Little was 43 when diagnosed with the disease. Photo / Paul Taylor

Andrew Little, one of the front-runners in Labour's leadership contest which is decided tomorrow, says he has been clear of cancer for four years after a fluke test caught the disease at an early stage.

Mr Little revealed at the weekend he was diagnosed with the disease in 2009. "It was a complete fluke, I was just having a regular checkup and my wife suggested I get my PSA [prostate specific antigen] levels tested."

Subsequent testing including a biopsy revealed early-stage cancer.

Mr Little was 43 when diagnosed with the disease and received brachytherapy, where radioactive material is implanted into the prostate, just a week before Labour's annual conference later in 2009.

He has subsequently had annual checkups.

"I've now had five years of low and negligible PSA readings, which tells me I'm in the clear."

Voting in the leadership battle between Mr Little, Grant Robertson, Nanaia Mahuta and David Parker closes at noon tomorrow and with most votes already cast, the result is expected shortly after that.

Mr Little is one of the frontrunners. The former union boss is expected to have the support of the majority of Labour's affiliated unions, which between them have 20 per cent of the votes. Herald soundings suggest support from his 31 caucus colleagues, who between them carry 40 per cent of the vote, has firmed up in recent weeks from six to seven.

Labour contest

• A four-way contest between Andrew Little, Grant Robertson, Nanaia Mahuta and David Parker.

• Voting closes tomorrow at midday.

• Party executives expect to announce the new leader at 1.45pm.