Coroner's Finding: BALLARD Kenneth Frederick

75y · Male·cerebral metastatic malignancy (lung cancer with brain metastases)

Kenneth Ballard, aged 75, died in prison custody from cerebral metastatic lung cancer. He had been diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic lymphoma in 2012 and managed at Mount Gambier Prison. In late 2014, Mr Ballard refused travel to Adelaide for specialist haematology review, citing severe distress from prison bus transport and haematemesis. Dr K. documented his capacity to refuse treatment. His condition deteriorated significantly by early 2016. A CT scan in April 2016 revealed advanced lung cancer with brain metastases, presenting with seizures. He died weeks later. The coroner found the lung cancer was likely a separate entity from his original leukaemia and may have been undiagnosed earlier, but Mr Ballard's own refusal to travel for specialist care and his choice to remain in the prison setting limited diagnostic opportunities. Earlier diagnosis was uncertain to improve outcome.