MEN throughout the Kiama area and beyond are being encouraged to ‘‘be a man, protect your future and don’t leave it too late to find out’’ by attending a prostate cancer awareness forum.
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The forum will be hosted by the Men’s Ministry of Gerringong Anglican Church.
It will take place at Gerringong Anglican Church Hall on Thursday, July 23 at 7pm.
Attendees can find out more about this disease from a panel of Illawarra urology and oncology specialists.
According to the Cancer Council, prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia and the third most common cause of cancer death.
It is more common in older men, with 85 per cent of cases diagnosed in men over 65 years of age.
In 2011, 19,993 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in Australia. This represents 30 per cent of all cancers diagnosed in Australian men.
The risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer by age of 85 is one in five men.
In 2012, there were 3079 deaths caused by prostate cancer, accounting for 13 per cent of all cancer deaths in Australian men.
Organiser, Kiama resident Michael Bull said unfortunately the causes of prostate cancer were unknown.
‘‘Because it is part of men’s reproduction system, men are reluctant to talk about their prostate, and it is perceived as a taboo topic.
‘‘But it’s very common,’’ he said.
We had an event like this in Kiama in 2006, and so it’s about time we did one here.’’
Currently, there are no tests available with sufficient accuracy to screen populations of men for early signs of prostate cancer.
The risk rises with age, increasing rapidly over 50 years, and family history increases the chances of developing the disease.
There are no proven measures to prevent it.
Dr Russell Pearson, a GP at Gerringong Family Medical Practice is one of the speakers at the forum.
The others are Professor Philip Clingan, Dr Spencer Murray and Dr Elias Nasser.
Dr Pearson said he hoped to help explain to the men in the community more information about the disease, how it’s screened for and detected, what the treatment options are and to ‘‘demystify it a little bit, take away the anxieties associated with it’’.
‘‘If you understand the patient journey, or the various patient journeys of people with cancer, it can be less frightening,’’ he said.
‘‘And the fact that many of the cancers are manageable; many prostate cancers are perfectly manageable, and you die with them, rather than of them.
‘‘To get these consultants to come and speak in our little local community is a wonderful thing, and we should take advantage of it.’’
Bookings are not required, although a gold coin donation to cancer research will be appreciated.
For more information, phone Michael Bull on 4233 1158.
