Rocker Kirk Pengilly reveals shock at prostate cancer diagnosis

Aussie rock legend Kirk Pengilly has opened up on his battle with prostate cancer. 

The INXS saxophonist and guitarist said he had been monitoring his prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels closely after a regular blood test in 2012 registered a slightly elevated result, News Corp reports.

Pengilly said he was not prepared for the diagnosis of "very aggressive" prostate cancer that he received in an email the day before he and wife, surfer Layne Beachley, were heading off on a 10-day food and wine tour of New Zealand.

Pengilly said the trip became a farewell tour of food and wine as he prepared himself mentally for surgery on his return.

“So the whole time we were in New Zealand, every bottle of wine was my last hurrah, every meal was my last hurrah,” Pengilly said.

After consultations, he had his prostate removed in March and has been recuperating ever since.

Follow-up tests have reassured Pengilly the cancer has been contained and has not spread to other organs.

He turns 57 on July 4 and said he will do so with a clean bill of health and a new speedboat - a birthday present to himself.

With AAP.