Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
This September, Father’s Day and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month collide. With one in six Aussie men diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, men’s health charity, Movember is calling on dads across the country to put their health first and book in with their GP for a prostate check-up.
Movember's Director of Cancer Survivorship, Dr. Amanda Pomery says education and open discussion around prostate cancer is needed to stop our men from dying too young.
“It’s important that men have conversations about their health that include prostate cancer. As the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, it’s critical that men understand their family history and risk factors associated with the disease.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and Father’s Day are a timely reminder for men to take action by having a conversation with their GP around regular prostate health checks.”
In 2019 alone, 3,611 men died from prostate cancer in Australia, that’s more than 69 men per week. In 2020, 70,386 men, diagnosed within the last five years, are estimated to be living with, or beyond, prostate cancer in Australia.
As Australians continue to grapple with disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritising regular health checks is still as important as ever, and Dr. Pomery adds, “Prostate cancer doesn’t stop impacting the lives of men and their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic. So, it’s vital that men continue to access support from their health care professionals, maintain follow up appointments and engage in lifestyle plans specific to their condition.”
Not everyone experiences symptoms of prostate cancer. Often, signs of prostate cancer are first detected by a doctor during a routine check-up. Some men, however, will experience changes in urinary or sexual function that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer. If you’re 50, you should be talking to your doctor about PSA testing*. If you’re of African or Caribbean descent, you need to start that conversation at 45. And if you have a brother or father with prostate cancer in their history, do it at 45. Early detection could be lifesaving.
Fighting for the Silver Mo by taking action to tackle prostate cancer head on, Movember has funded global prostate cancer program, Movember’s True North. Our mission is to transform the way men make informed decisions, receive care, manage symptoms and share lived experiences by providing support and guidance through every stage of the prostate cancer journey.
