Coroner's Finding: Porter, Peter Raymond

65y · Male·metastatic prostate cancer complicated by deep vein thromboses

Peter Raymond Porter, aged 65, died in prison from metastatic prostate cancer complicated by deep vein thromboses in January 2022, eight and a half years after diagnosis. He had presented with urinary symptoms in December 2011, with elevated PSA (77 ng/mL) and abnormal ultrasound findings in 2012. However, he repeatedly refused specialist urology referrals and transfer to Adelaide despite strong medical advice from Dr K.. Diagnosis was confirmed in July 2013 after finally accepting transfer. While one ultrasound was cancelled by the prison General Manager in 2012, this did not affect outcome given the patient's subsequent refusals. In 2021, Mr Porter initially declined chemotherapy but eventually accepted transfer to Adelaide in September 2021. The coroner found medical care was adequate within the bounds of the patient's expressed wishes, and that he had decision-making capacity to refuse treatment. No preventable factors were identified.