Former GAA star Jim Stynes is finding inspiration in his cancer battle from champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, who successfully beat the disease.

The Rathfarnham native and Ballyboden St Enda's player -- brother of Dublin's former All-Ireland winning captain Brian -- recently revealed that the cancer found in his back had spread to his brain.

The 43-year-old Aussie Rules player stepped down from his role as Melbourne Club President temporarily in July after he first revealed that he had to undergo surgery for the cancerous growth in his back.

The ex- Melbourne Demons star is well respected in Australia, and was awarded the Brownlow medal, the highest honour in the game,

He has been keeping friends and fans updated on his cancer fight via his Twitter account.

Following the latest treatment he wrote: "Feeling pumped after last treatment for four weeks."

Friends have been heartened by the Twitter message, considering that during the treatment he wrote on October 11: "Side effects not much fun, hate not being myself. Family have been awesome. great day at beach. Serious week of radiation ahead, learning heaps."

This week Jim revealed that he is inspired by the autobiography of cycling hero Lance Armstrong, who won several Tour De France titles after battling testicular cancer.

Awesome

Armstrong won the Tour for a record-breaking seven consecutive years, from 1999 to 2005.

He survived his testicular cancer after it spread to his brain and lungs in 1996.

"Started reading L Armstrong book again. What an awesome being," Stynes wrote of Armstrong's book It's Not About The Bike: My Journey Back To Life.

The former Dublin Minor Gaelic and Ballyboden St Enda's footballer has received huge support from the Australian football community.

He is one of the more popular football personalities in the Victorian city and is known not just for his football exploits but also his charity work.

Despite the setback, he has been continuously positive regarding his cancer battle.

He said: "I thought it might just be located in that one area but it's not. And it's spread quite a bit and I have a journey to go on, let's say."

Speaking at the time he announced his cancer news Stynes said: "I've got a great family and a great friendship group who are right behind me.

"I couldn't be in better hands. I've got a new focus and, as you all know from my footy, I don't tend to hold much back.

"When I've got a goal, a vision or a focus I go after it with everything I can to make it happen. Right now I need to put all my energies into getting my body right and to heal," he added.

"I'm not stepping down from Melbourne; I'm not walking away. But I will be taking a break and I'll need to take the rest of the season off so I can focus on this and focus on my family," said Jim.

hnews@herald.ie

- Conor Feehan