One of Australia's most revered rugby league heroes, Trevor Gillmeister, has opened up about his battle with prostate cancer.

In an exclusive interview with 7NEWS on Monday, the 55-year-old Queenslander says the diagnosis hit him "like a ton of bricks".

Watch the video above

Gillmeister, nicknamed The Axe for his punishing tackles, is sharing his story to encourage other men to take their health seriously.

“Get the blood test and, if you have to get the rubber glove, that’s part and parcel,” he says in the interview, which airs at 6pm.

Each year almost 3300 Australian men die from prostate cancer and more than 21,000 new cases are diagnosed.

More on 7NEWS.com.au

The illness, which is most common among over-65s, kills more people each year than breast cancer, leukaemia or melanoma, according to Cancer Australia.

Gillmeister, now the assistant coach at the Gold Coast Titans, represented Queensland and Australia during his playing days.

Watch Gillmeister's full interview at 6pm on 7NEWS Queensland