Different Roads, One Common Path! by Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED JUNE 11, 2014

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Encouraging positive steps and increasing conversations surrounding prostate cancer in WA.

Different Roads One Common Path!

Reducing the impact on men and the community Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) is a broad-based community organisation and the peak national body for prostate cancer in Australia. Dedicated to reducing the impact of prostate cancer on Australian men, their partners, families and the wider community, PCFA promotes and funds world-leading innovative research into prostate cancer, implements awareness campaigns and education programs and supports men and their families through evidence-based information and resources, support groups and Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses.

Editor: Louise Allan Writer: Brooke Hunter Designer: Hayley Smith | Advertising: Eithne Healy, 9482 3559

Early detection is key to enabling better outcomes

NATIONAL CEO: Dr Anthony Lowe Chairman: Mr David Sandoe OAM

Caught in its early stages, while still conﬁned to the prostate gland, prostate cancer can be cured.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA WA Chair: Mrs Roz Baker WA State Manager: Mrs Cate Harman

A blood test and physical examination are usually the ﬁrst steps a doctor will take to check the health of the prostate and for possible prostate cancer.

PCFA PERTH OFFICE Unit 1/294 Newcastle Street, Perth 6000 Talk: 08 9381 7444 | Fax: 08 9228 3200 Email: perth@pcfa.org.au

Doctors are required to inform and get permission from their patients before they do any testing. Testing through a Prostate Speciﬁc Antigen (PSA) blood test, Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) and subsequent prostate biopsy is currently the best available way to detect the presence of cancer.

For those interested in volunteering for the foundation, please email perth@pcfa.org.au.

The PSA blood test looks for the presence in the blood of a protein that is produced speciﬁcally by prostate cells called prostate speciﬁc antigen. The presence of an elevated PSA level does not necessarily mean prostate cancer is present as there are other medical conditions that can lead to a PSA result outside the normal range. If a test reveals a slightly elevated PSA level, a doctor may recommend the test be repeated from time to time to establish the rate of change, if any, before recommending a biopsy. The rate of change of the PSA is an important indicator to investigate further. The DRE allows the doctor to feel part of the surface of the prostate to check for irregularities.

Belinda Katz - Ofﬁce & Events Coordinator, Roz Baker - Chair WA Board, Cate Harman WA State Manager. Seated: Emilia Hay - Support Group & Outreach Coordinator, Salima Garcia - Ofﬁce & Events Coordinator.

Prostate cancer In Australia, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. More than 20,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year and it is the second most common cause of cancerrelated death in Australian men. Every year, approximately 3000 men die from prostate cancer, making it the fourth leading cause of death for men in Australia. Despite this, prostate cancer has one of the highest five-year survival rates after diagnosis compared with other cancers. Knowing what the prostate is and where it is in the body can help the community better understand prostate cancer. The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. It sits below the bladder and in front of the rectum, surrounding the urethra. The prostate gland produces most of the fluid that makes up semen, which enriches and protects sperm. It therefore needs the male hormone testosterone to grow and develop. The prostate gland is often described as the size of a walnut and it is common for it to grow as men get older. Sometimes this can cause problems such as difficulty urinating but these are not always symptoms or signs of cancer.

Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop in the prostate, forming a malignant tumour or cancerous growth. These abnormal cells can continue to multiply and may spread outside the prostate into nearby or distant parts of the body.

Symptoms of prostate cancer

As it is a slow-growing disease, the majority of men with prostate cancer can live for a long time without painful symptoms or the cancer spreading. In the early stage of prostate cancer, there are usually no symptoms.

•

Frequent or sudden need to urinate

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Difﬁculty or discomfort when urinating

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Finding blood in urine

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Pain in various bones if the cancer has spread to them

The risk of cancer is increased by events that happen naturally, the characteristics men are born with or things they do which increase their chance of developing the disease. It is important to be aware of all of these risk factors but they do not mean developing the disease is a foregone conclusion. There have been many studies looking at risk factors for prostate cancer. Factors that are most strongly linked to an increased chance of developing prostate cancer are: •

Age

•

Family History

•

Genetics

•

Diet

•

Lifestyle

In the early stage of prostate cancer, there are usually no symptoms. Later stage prostate cancer can cause symptoms that include:

These urinary symptoms are not always caused by prostate cancer. They can be caused by other prostate related diseases that are not cancerous; however it is important that you speak with your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition of the prostate gland. It is not cancer and it is common in older men. BPH is when the prostate becomes larger than normal, ‘squeezing’ the urethra, causing various urinary symptoms. Having these symptoms does not mean men are more likely to develop or have prostate cancer. BPH can be a progressive condition and symptoms can get worse over time if not treated.

A normal DRE exam does not rule out prostate cancer, but it is an important part of the assessment. The DRE is usually done in combination with a PSA test. After doing these tests, and depending on the results, a biopsy may be done. This is the only way a ﬁrm diagnosis of prostate cancer can be made. A biopsy is where small tissue samples are taken and sent to a pathologist to identify whether the cells are malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). Agreeing to be tested for prostate cancer is an important decision because the test result can be life changing. If you have concerns about your prostate or testing for prostate cancer, talking with others about these concerns can be useful. If you are uncomfortable talking to someone you know, there are organisations that can give you more information. In WA this includes: PCFA www.pcfa.org.au Cancer Council WA www.cancerwa.asn.au Regional Men’s Health www.regionalmenshealth.com.au

For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.pcfa.org.au Vas deferens Seminal vesicle

Management options or surgery for treatment The best treatment option for a prostate cancer diagnosis depends on a number of aspects including age and the stage of the prostate cancer. After consulting with a healthcare team, a management option might be offered before treatment options. Management options involve keeping check of the cancer. There are generally two options for localised prostate cancer, including watchful waiting and active surveillance. When the cancer does need to be actively treated however, surgery or radiotherapy will most likely be offered. Surgery Surgery is generally offered to suitably healthy men whose cancer has not spread to other parts of the body. A radical prostatectomy can be done in different ways including an open radical prostatectomy, a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy or a robotic assisted radical prostatectomy. Laparoscopic and robotic assisted surgery have similar recovery periods and the same side effects so the choice of surgery is largely dependent on what your

Urinary bladder

surgeon feels most comfortable with. Neither technique is proven to be better than the other.

Prostate gland

Radiotherapy

Urethra Rectum

There are two main types of radiotherapy.

Penis

The external beam radiotherapy uses highenergy x-ray beams directed at the prostate from outside the body.

Ejaculatory duct

The second type is brachytherapy which is when radioactive material is inserted directly into the prostate. It is given at either a low dose rate or high dose rate.

Anus

Hormone therapy Prostate cancer is driven by hormones and by reducing these hormones such as testosterone, it is possible to slow the growth of the cancer. Research shows using hormone therapy before and during radiotherapy can reduce the chance of the cancer spreading. For more information about treatments and their side effects please refer to Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia resources which can be downloaded from www.pcfa.org.au or phone 1800 220 099.

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Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia treatment GreenLightTM Laser uses laser technology for the treatment of an enlarged prostate gland or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Nedlands Urologist Dr Sydney Weinstein said enlargement of the prostate was the most common problem experienced by older men and could lead to urinary symptoms.

He said the new GreenLightTM Laser procedure was associated with fewer side effects and quicker recovery times than traditional surgery. In Western Australia there are currently two GreenLightTM lasers – one at Hollywood Private Hospital and one at St John of God Murdoch.

Prostate cancer care that’s internationally recognised. St John of God Subiaco Hospital (SJGSH) has a significant commitment to men’s health and in particular has established a comprehensive and dynamic approach to managing prostate cancer. Surgical innovation: Our surgeons use the da Vinci robot (the world’s most precise surgical robot and the only one in WA), and since 2007 have performed over 1,000 robotic cases. The robot is operated by five of our urologists, with a dedicated skilled nursing team and continence nurse support. Patients benefit via; ■ ■ ■

reduced complications (such as incontinence and impotence) improved recovery times less post-operative pain

Supportive care: Our highly trained nursing and allied health professionals ensure that; ■ ■ ■

all treatments are individually tailored for every man being treated follow up care responds to patient needs the best possible outcomes are achieved

SJG Subiaco Hospital strives for innovation and excellence in cancer care and the commitment of our clinicians ensures all patients receive outstanding care delivered by an internationally recognised team.

For more information visit:

www.sjog.org.au/subiaco

Clinical trials: Our specialist medical oncologists bring the latest clinical trials to the Bendat Family Comprehensive Cancer Centre delivering; ■ ■ ■

the newest drugs that show promise in treating prostate cancer rapid implementation of the latest therapies expertise in maximising clinical outcomes

Hospitality I Compassion I Respect I Justice I Excellence

www.sjog.org.au/subiaco

Different Roads One Common Path! Lessening the isolation with peers PCFA has more than 155 support groups in Australia with 18 of those situated in Western Australia. These are made up of men and their partners who have experienced, or are experiencing prostate cancer.

“Our challenge is to make people aware that we are there for them and all they have to do is pick up the phone and call us or one of our group leaders.”

“They may greatly beneﬁt from speaking to people who have gone through that same experience. This takes place in many forms. Sometimes it’s just a phone conversation or sometimes it’s a casual meeting with one or more people over a cup of coffee,” Ms Hay said.

Fremantle resident Margaret Amm is currently the group leader for the Fremantle and Mandurah Prostate Cancer Support Groups. She said each group offered support to men and their families who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“I am always surprised at the willingness of these people to give their time and energy to help others,” Ms Hay said. Leaders of the support groups assist people by providing valuable resources and practical information, as well as sharing ideas, thoughts and coping strategies. Ms Hay said having positive emotional health was an important factor in helping people recover from illness. “A cancer diagnosis makes one feel incredibly alone,” she said. “Some people will experience a level of depression and anxiety and I think this is where we can really help because by becoming socially involved and by hearing

Funding specialist nursing programs to help men through difﬁcult times

Specialist nurses are well established in other areas of health care and thus, PCFA recognised an unmet need to support and assist men and their families, further reducing the impact on the wider community. With the support of the Movember Foundation and The Wyllie Fellowship in Western Australia, PCFA launched the Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing program, placing 12 specialist nurses in host hospitals across rural and metropolitan centres. Hollywood Private Hospital was the only Western Australian health care provider selected to participate in the pilot program and in

May 2012 the hospital appointed Senior Urology Nurse Lisa Ferri (pictured) to the position. With more than 25 years’ experience, Ms Ferri provides information and coordinates care for patients accessing prostate cancer treatment at the hospital.

“Often we see people coming away from group sessions or a chat with renewed hope and in a much better disposition than they were before.

PCFA Support Group and Outreach Coordinator Emilia Hay provides formal structured training to support group leaders. Previously working as a counsellor in drug and alcohol related groups, Ms Hay knows all too well the powerful transformations which can take place when peer support is provided. She said this support had a positive impact on the emotional wellbeing of men and women.

She said hundreds of men across PCFA support groups had gained renewed energy and purpose by supporting others.

Prostate cancer is the most common newly-diagnosed cancer in Australian men but until recently, dedicated specialist nurses for prostate cancer care never existed.

others’ experiences, this can lessen that level of isolation people feel.

preparation work and expectations for recovery post-surgery. “Patients may be unsure of which treatment option to choose as some treatments can have lasting psychological or physical side effects,” Ms Ferri said.

Ms Ferri said the time immediately after an initial diagnosis was confusing for a lot of patients, with men and their families needing help to understand the diagnosis and treatment options available to them.

“I provide our patients with information and support at a difﬁcult time using resources and educational tools. We have a chat about what they do and don’t understand about their disease.”

She said patients were referred to her at anytime and she saw them about three to four times over the course of their treatment. She said the correspondence occurred face-to-face, via phone or email with information ranging from treatment options to

Ms Ferri said researching and reﬂecting on their diagnosis, providing information on treatment options and supportive services allowed patients to make informed decisions on the management of their prostate cancer.

Allan Sudholz is the WA Chapter Council’s Chairman, a committee that runs support groups in WA. He said it was important members of each support group listened to people and offered hope.

Walter Bonnet set up the Younger Men’s Prostate Cancer Support Group when his diagnosis at 37 helped him realise there was a gap in support and information relating to someone his age. The group provides support to men under 50 in addition to their partners, carers and family. “More younger men are being diagnosed with prostate cancer and it is no longer ‘just’ an old man’s disease. This is why I decided to set up the group with the help of PCFA,” he said. “Not only do we have to think about erectile dysfunction and incontinence at a young age, there are also the pressures of work, relationships, having a young family or planning for one, which most older men may not have to consider.” For more information about PCFA’s support groups or to become a peer leader visit www.prostate.org.au.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.pcfa.org.au

Help is never far away in this vast state PCFA ambassador program objective is to raise community awareness of prostate cancer and to provide resources for individuals to learn more about the disease.

“If you get it early, it’s only a pothole in the road of life. I had been told when I was young by my father to see your doctor from 40 and I took that advice,” he said.

Ambassador presentations are delivered by trained people, many of whom have ﬁrsthand experience of prostate cancer.

“I’m happy to help out where needed, particularly in the area of talking to young blokes. It’s just as easy as an annual check-up.”

Ambassador Ian Murray (pictured) has conducted more than 200 group and individual talks to men and their partners since 2007. Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996, Mr Murray said he wanted to make people aware early detection saved lives. Mr Murray has travelled as far north as Carnarvon and as far south as Albany to provide important information, personalising his talks and even conducting one-on-one sessions with individuals. “Quite a few times I have had some fantastic responses and I get hugs from blokes. I’ve talked to about 40 or 50 blokes who have experienced prostate cancer and have been cured.” At 44, PCFA WA Board Member and Ambassador Adrian Lester was diagnosed at quite a young age but managed to catch it early because of the advice of his father. He said he became an ambassador purely to make sure others were getting the same advice.

Mr Lester said where possible it was important to be open and discuss it. “It’s not a dirty subject. If I can tell someone or a group about what I know then that might get them to talk to their doctor about prostate cancer,” he said. “It might save a life.” Howard Nelson is one of the few ambassadors who does not have a direct link to prostate cancer, but has a passion for making sure blokes know they are not alone. “Before I did these talks, I knew I had a prostate but I didn’t know where it was or what it did. I think it’s important people get annual check-ups,” he said. PCFA’s ambassador program recruits and trains individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds. To arrange an ambassador to speak at your next function or community group please call 9381 7444 or email ambassadors@pcfa.org.au.

Supporting Men in WA A global clinical study evaluating an investigational vaccine-based immunotherapy

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA)

for metastatic prostate cancer.

- building strong support networks for men PCFA is building an extensive support network throughout WA for men and their families dealing with prostate cancer. Active support groups currently exist in Perth metropolitan and various regional areas. If you would like to assist with growing our support network in WA please contact us on 08 9381 7444.

You’re fighting back. We’re working to enhance your body’s ability to do the same. The

PROSPECT

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evaluating

immunotherapy

MAN - Supporting men’s health and well being

prostate cancer.

MAN Report for WA Males

The

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investigational

vaccine

for

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metastatic

administered

through a series of injections over a period

Becoming a healthy male can be a challenging journey; it requires a lot of support, wisdom, guidance, good resources and some older/wiser men to help guide the way. Plus, when things go off track with our health and wellbeing, us men need some helpful and supportive health professionals to assist and get us back on the road again. MAN is a not for proﬁt health promotion charity, working in partnership with providers, business groups and individuals to improve male health and wellbeing outcomes. MAN believes that by respectfully addressing male health and wellbeing issues, the beneﬁts will be a healthier community with healthier outcomes for men, women and children alike. For more information go to www.man.org.au or call 08 9218 8044.

study

potential effectiveness of an investigational

of ﬁve months – is designed to teach the body’s

immune

system

identify

destroy prostate cancer cells.

Consider continuing your ﬁght – with us. If you have been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer and are looking for additional treatment options, you may be eligible to participate. To learn more:

Clinical Trial Unit St John of God Subiaco Hospital Ph 6465 9204

ContinueYourFight.com

and

Different Roads One Common Path!

The future is bright for diagnosis and treatments, WA urologists say Advancements in medical technology, radiotherapy and radiology are further increasing options for prostate cancer patients when it comes to diagnosis and treatment.

for the patient. Royal Perth Hospital does provide the service in public health care but struggles to cope with the demand. Regardless, Dr Shannon said he conducted eight to 10 MRIs a week.

According to Hollywood Specialist Centre Urologist Tom Shannon, the multiparametric MRI has the potential to revolutionise the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer.

There are also continuing advances in both the surgical techniques and radiation therapy in regards to prostate cancer.

The advancement of the MRI provides another option to add to the specialists investigation tools and allows doctors to not only look at the tissue, but look at how tightly packed the cells are and the chemical makeup of the tissue. Dr Shannon said this allowed radiologists to separate what was cancerous and what was benign. “This hasn’t been possible before. When used in combination with PSA testing, it allows us to ﬁnd the serious cancers whilst avoiding detection of cancers that may not cause harm,” he said. “When an MRI is clear, we have a 97 per cent certainty the patient doesn’t have a signiﬁcant cancer. That’s a huge thing in the diagnosis. It also allows us to plan the surgery better because we can see where the cancer is.” The multiparametric MRI is available in Western Australia however it is currently not rebateable by Medicare so can be costly

Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital Radiation Oncologist David Joseph said the new CyberKnife (the only one in Australia) was a technologically advanced weapon using a high dose of radiation to treat certain tumors. Enabling doctors to treat tumors with pinpoint accuracy, the technology is particularly beneﬁcial in regards to the treatment of prostate cancer. “It’s a sophisticated way of targeting a particular tumor. This places a higher dosage in that area and less in the areas around it,” Mr Joseph said. He said the technology was once used only for brain tumors but had since been adapted for other areas of the body. “In this particular interest, if you put marker seeds in the prostate, you can see it in the imaging device attached to the knife. It allows you to give active treatments to an organ or tumor site in the body,” he said. Over the last 10 years or more, St John of God Subiaco Oncologist Dr Siobhan Ng

has been focused on the expanding role of chemotherapy and new agents available to those diagnosed with prostate cancer. “Back in 2001 if the patient had become resistant to hormonal therapy, Docetaxel was the only treatment available that made a survival difference. Since then, there has been a lot of work on prostate cancer,” she said. Researchers have now found various agents that help with symptoms and a patient’s quality of life. “We have a bone-strengthening drug called Xgeva and that helps to reduce episodes of pain fracture due to bone metastases in men with prostate cancer. We have also discovered another chemotherapy agent which is active even in cases resistant to Docetaxel, called Jevtana,” Dr Ng said. “We also do work with Zytiga which is a new generation of anti-hormone medication which works pre or post-chemotherapy.” Dr Ng said the drugs were, after 10 years of research, available on the PBS and most patients could access them if they fulﬁlled the medical criteria. She said they had been available for approximately 18 months. “In addition to that, we are looking at immune treatments and vaccines. We are also looking agents which we have now proven to help prostate cancer patients. We are looking at how we can use them to improve cure rates earlier in the disease.”

New research heights In Australia and internationally, prostate cancer funding is severely lacking, especially when compared with some other cancers that cause equivalent morbidity and mortality. As a result, the number of prostate cancer investigators is relatively small as is their research output. However, thanks to the generosity of the Movember Foundation, PCFA has invested more than $35 million into prostate cancer research projects nationally over ﬁve years. These projects cover the full spectrum from science through to survivorship issues such as psychological interventions and exercise programs. Additionally, prostate cancer research in Australia is set to reach new heights with PCFA’s research program strategy launched on July 7 last year. This plan delivers a clear map of future priorities and focuses on strengthening the funding base for PCFA’s established research program; increasing national and international collaboration between prostate cancer research teams; diversifying PCFA’s research program by supporting innovative projects; and supporting sustainability for the Australian prostate cancer research workforce. As part of this strategy, PCFA has announced two multi-million dollar Movember Revolutionary Team Awards in partnership with The Movember Foundation. These awards of $5.25 million each over three years will fund two collaborative research teams that have the scientiﬁc and clinical expertise to have a near-term, revolutionary and transformative impact on the clinical management of prostate cancer. For expressions of interest in supporting the PCFA research program contact kris.alisch@pcfa.org.au.

Big leap mentally for post-treatment outcomes Advances in incontinence and erectile dysfunction treatment options are increasing, according to Perth urologists. Hollywood Hospital Urological Surgeon Jessica Yin said before now there was not a lot to offer men in regards to prostatectomies. “Over time we have developed a few strategies. What we see now is a number of options for men who have postprostatectomy incontinence. Most men do well with pelvic ﬂoor physio, but sometimes you need to do something in addition to pelvic ﬂoor retraining,” Dr Yin said. “For those who return to us and say physio only made small improvements, then we

start thinking of surgical options such as male slings, compression balloons or artiﬁcial sphincters.” Dr Yin said there had been increased innovation in relation to male slings for males with a moderate level of incontinence. “Most of these operations can be done with an overnight stay or two-night stay. The risks of these operations are far less than it used to be and we are getting good results with patients,” she said. “It’s a big leap mentally for a lot of guys to have another operation but almost all feel the outcomes have been worth it.”

Urological Society of Western Australia Chair Dr Jeff Thavaseelan said in addition to this, there had been major research conducted in relation to improving the outcome of prostate cancer treatment.

Dr Thavaseelan said penile implants had been utilised for many years and were a very good option for those men who had failed conservative therapy such as drug and injection therapy.

“Erectile dysfunction is another issue that may be a consequence of prostate cancer treatment. As a result, clinical research into ways to improve the outcome is rapidly expanding,” he said.

“Advancements in surgical technique and in the design of the devices has markedly improved patient satisfaction and long-term outcome,” he said.

“One area is penile rehabilitation. This includes assessing and starting medical treatment for possible future erectile dysfunction even before prostate cancer treatment starts.”

“The demand for treatment for urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction post prostate cancer treatment is growing as more men are being educated and becoming more open about discussing such personal issues.”

For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.pcfa.org.au

World-leading research discovers exercise is a positive for patients Research in Perth has established exercise is safe during and after cancer treatments, resulting in improvements in physical functioning and quality of life in several cancer survivor groups. For the past 11 years Edith Cowan University Health and Wellness Institute Co-director Robert Newton and a team of researchers have been actively involved in the clinical research of the impact of exercise interventions on the physical performance and psychological wellness of cancer patients, especially those with prostate cancer. As a professor of exercise and sports science, Dr Newton said prostate cancer was the ﬁrst chronic disease the team looked at to improve outcomes for cancer patients. “The majority of our research focuses on exercises as medicine for cancer patients and survivors,” he said. Dr Newton said the research idea stemmed from his father developing prostate cancer. “He was really impacted by the treatments and the massive loss of physical capacity. He ended up basically sitting in a chair in the front yard and two years later he died from a stroke. That prompted my research team and I to question how we could do better,” he said.

“When you look at all those changes that I saw in my father, I thought exercise could prevent any of those things happening or at least slow those processes. That’s why we launched a series of studies to address the side effects people have from cancer and its treatment.” Dr Newton and his team have primarily looked into the side effects of a common treatment for advanced prostate cancer – Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT). Symptoms include poor balance, fatigue, metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis and skeletal fractures, cardiovascular morbidity, muscle loss and the decline in physical capacity. “(During ADT) patients are given drugs which block the production of testosterone. The cells of their body, including the prostate cancer cells, no longer have access to testosterone and that causes all sorts of psychological and physical side effects,” Dr Newton said. “When (testosterone) is taken away, guys lose kilos of muscle mass and develop osteoporosis in a matter of 12 to 24 months. They can develop type two diabetes and cardiovascular disease.” His team found resistance training combined with an aerobic exercise program

was beneﬁcial to increasing muscle strength, lean mass, aerobic capacity, general health and vitality. “Exercise is not a single medicine – it’s a range of medicines and is prescribed differently depending on the illness or issue the patient has.” Dr Newton manages the Life Now program which is a developmental course administered by the Health and Wellness Institute’s exercise physiologists working with cancer patients and survivors. This course is designed to provide the knowledge and skills required to implement safe and effective exercise programs for people with cancer at any stage of treatment. Dr Newton said 500 patients had completed the course. “We have had patients who have had overwhelming fatigue to the extent they cannot go shopping or they can’t go out socially anymore,” Dr Newton said. “We have had a large number of cancer patients where appropriate exercise has been able to turn that around completely. ‘It doesn’t matter what type of cancer you have, what stage of cancer or even if you are undergoing difﬁcult treatment, you have to maintain your exercise.”

Dr Robert Newton, ECU Health and Wellness Institute.

“Patient preference is an important factor in treatment decisions, as the values people place on quality versus quantity of life, their acceptance of risk and fear of complications will inﬂuence the acceptability of the various treatment options.” (National Health & Medical Research Council, 2003, p.xii).

INTERNATIONALLY ADOPTED RESEARCH

THATÓS HOW UNIVERSITY SHOULD BE ECU’s Health and Wellness Institute is a multidisciplinary and productive research centre dedicated to researching how exercise can be employed in cancer management to materially improve patient outcomes. The group’s unique combination of clinical patient care, exercise oncology, and innovation in health program interventions has underpinned their achievements in cancer research.

The Institute has developed guidelines, which forms the basis of an exercise program offered by the Cancer Council to the local community, and the prescribed model for cancer management in North America and much of the world. These guidelines contributed significantly to a major modification in clinical recommendations as historically clinicians advised cancer patients to rest and to avoid activity. Guidelines are now for individuals to avoid inactivity and return to normal activity as soon as possible after diagnosis or treatment. For more information about Research at ECU’s Health and Wellness Institute call 134 ECU (134 328), email enquiries@ecu.edu.au or visit www.ecuhealthwellnessinstitute.org

+++++ TEACHING QUALITY +++++ GRADUATE SATISFACTION +++++ GRADUATE STARTING SALARY The Good Universities Guide 2015

303 LOWE ECU10891 CRICOS IPC 00279B

Edith Cowan University Health and Wellness Institute

Different Roads One Common Path!

Mates 500 Relay

Raising awareness among the football community in Western Australia

In March and April, the Mates 500 Relay team of 12 covered 1500km in 11 days to raise money for Regional Men’s Health Initiative (RMHI) and PCFA.

The West Australian Football Commission (WAFC) has partnered with PCFA to dedicate a round of West Australian Football League (WAFL) games to men’s health during Men’s Health Week from June 9 to 15.

Consisting of farmers, tradespeople and professionals from Manjimup and its surrounding areas, the team had six runners on the road at a time starting in Mukinbudin on March 23 and ﬁnishing in Manjimup on April 3.

As part of the Know Your Score initiative, WAFL clubs will dedicate games played on June 14 in Round 12 to raising awareness for prostate cancer and encouraging men to be more proactive about their health.

The team passed through more than 40 towns located in the Wheatbelt and lower south-west of Western Australia, supported by more than 100 convoy support staff and event organisers from local communities. Aiming to further raise awareness of male health issues, organisers held evening health promotion events in 11 towns the team stayed in. Aglime of Australia Mates 500 Relay Chairman Paul Omodei said the event started in 2011 with six mates running 500km to fundraise for men’s health. The 2014 event raised almost $100,000 for RMHI and PCFA. To ﬁnd out more visit www.mates500relay.org.au.

Each club member will wear a blue armband at four games dotted around metropolitan and regional areas, including Arena Joondalup, Medibank Stadium, Blue Steel Oval and in Kalgoorlie. PCFA will be working with each of the WAFL clubs to promote the awareness campaign at each game including a call to action for Australian men to take responsibility for their health and know their general health ‘score’, especially in regard to major health risk areas. Know Your Score patron Glen Jakovich said he became involved as an ambassador purely to promote preventative messages and to raise awareness among the wider community about men’s health. “I lost my father through cancer when I was only 15 so I understand the psychological

impact it has on the immediate family,” he said. “My mum was 49 so she was very young and widowed. She was left with looking after a family business, the market garden and three boys. “It was such a rapid rate from the time he was diagnosed to when he passed away a month later. It left us with no understanding of where to go from there.” At 41, Mr Jakovich said he understood the importance of getting annual check-ups and keeping his health under wraps. “I am at that stage where I have to think of these type of cancers that are out there. I have three young kids and I am in the age bracket that is not too dissimilar to the age my father was when he was diagnosed,” he said. “I owe it to my family and kids to make sure that I am around through regular check-ups.” Mr Jakovich said football was a great medium to bring people together and highlight that talking about health was nothing to be ashamed of. “You will come across males there that are macho men with a strong, bullet-proof attitude. We want to break down that stigma because we are all human, we are all men, we are all boys, we are fathers and

we are brothers. We need to show due diligence in our own health and wellbeing. It’s about having the duty of care for yourself personally and the loved ones around you,” he said. WAFC’s Steve Hargrave said the organisation’s commitment played a leading and proactive role in sending these messages out to the community. “It’s a terriﬁc opportunity for us to get awareness out there. All players will be wearing blue armbands and there will be fundraising activities and keynote speakers at the clubs. We will be doing all we possibly can throughout the week to make sure we continue to raise awareness for the disease,” he said. “We are committed to supporting the awareness throughout the broader community. Essentially we are talking about sons, brothers, dads, granddads and mates and making them aware of their health score by talking to their doctor. It’s a fundamental requirement in the game of life.” Perth Football Club (PFC) CEO Marty Atkins said it was important to have the message reach men of all ages, even young boys. “They watch and follow the footy so it’s a good way to reach out and tell those guys not to neglect their bodies. There are plenty

ProState Active cyclists ride to raise awareness of prostate cancer In May 2012, 10 men along with four support crew undertook a challenge to raise awareness for prostate cancer and PCFA.

10 of the people who knew my father-inlaw to get together and try and make a difference,” Perth man Jeremy Watkins said.

That challenge was to cycle 300km from Perth to Margaret River via Mandurah and Bunbury over two days as one team.

Through corporate sponsorship in that ﬁrst year in 2012, 10 riders managed to raise approximately $30,000. By the second year, the event had attracted 50 cyclists, 14 support crew and prominent Perth businessman Kim Ledger as its patron.

The ProState Active Perth to Margaret River Cycle was born out of one man’s wish to have Western Australia talking about prostate cancer after his father-in-law was diagnosed with the illness in 2011. “When I found out about (the diagnosis), it was the year of my 40th birthday and I thought instead of going to the pub like normal people do, I created this event. I got

The 2013 event raised $140,000 for PCFA from corporate sponsorship and charitable donations collected by all riders and support crew. “The whole ethos of the entire event is to raise awareness of prostate cancer. We

don’t have any kind of minimum amount you have to raise,” Mr Watkins said. He wanted to highlight the event was not a typical charity ride. “It’s a whole bunch more than that to the people who do it and to the amazing people who sponsor us,” he said. “We do everything as a team. Our whole ethos is to ride as a group and train together. It creates a beautiful team and community spirit. People get engaged and want to carry on and get behind the message.” This year on Friday September 12, 100 riders will depart Perth as one team to undertake the same challenge once again.

The event is speciﬁcally timed to coincide with Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and will take place over two days. “As much as possible we will keep the 100 riders in one group to increase the visual impact of the event, hence raising more awareness of prostate cancer and PCFA,” Mr Watkins said. He said the event was not limited to blokes and 25 per cent of the riders were female. Event entries for this year are closed, but expressions of interest are open for the 2015 event. To ﬁnd out more visit www.prostateactive.com.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.pcfa.org.au

of cases of high-proﬁle men who didn’t have check-ups and didn’t catch the cancer in time.” Mr Atkins said PFC’s game in Kalgoorlie on June 14 would certainly raise increased awareness in regional areas. “I suppose it’s just not in the metro. It affects men all over the place, so we are talking country as well,” he said. “If we can get the message out to places like Kalgoorlie, it’s an advantage as it is known to be a tough land and the land of all workers.” Mr Atkins said the fact all clubs in the WAFL were involved in the Know Your Score initiative was outstanding. “When you think of the success of breast cancer awareness, I

can’t see why in future years, men can’t have the same attitude in relation to their health,” he said. There will be an opportunity for the public to donate to PCFA during these games to assist in the ﬁght against prostate cancer and support the men and their families in WA dealing with this disease. Remember, be proactive about your health and know your general ‘score’. Talk to your doctor about determining your individual risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer, stroke and prostate cancer. PCFA recommends men over the age of 50, or 40 if they have a family history of prostate cancer, should talk to their doctor about being tested for prostate cancer as part of their annual health check. PCFA also recommends men should make an individual informed decision about testing based on discussion with their doctors.

Interactive score cards invite spectators to be more involved in their game while supporting their team. The two-sided GOAL/POINT cards can be held up when a team scores,

or when a player is attempting to score, creating a vision of blue for prostate cancer. These cards will be available for a donation at each of the WAFL games on June 14.

Different Roads One Common Path! From a negative comes a positive change for Albany farmer When Borden farmer Brendan Barrows was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May last year, initially he and his family were overcome with shock.

Mr Barrows found the best method to ﬁghting cancer was to remain strongminded and be determined to ﬁght all the way to the end.

“I thought about my young kids. I questioned whether I would be around to see my son play footy and my daughter grow up to be a young woman and get married,” Mr Barrows said.

“I took that approach. I didn’t bottle it up and I was proactively telling people straight away about it to try and help as many people as I could on my journey,” he said.

“All that stuff ﬂashes through your mind and it was quite devastating for my wife, myself and my family.”

“I wanted to let men know that they can prolong their lives if they just monitor it. I have probably saved 20 years at the top end of my life by ﬁnding it now.”

As soon as the then 42-year-old understood what was needed of him to overcome the cancer, he vowed to do whatever he could to get rid of it, especially for son Boston, 5, and daughter Ruby, 6.

The Great Southern region farmer undertook a three and a half hour operation with a Perth urologist to have his prostate removed with a subsequent month of recovery.

“I said, I’m not going to let this take me out. I vowed to live a longer and healthier life.”

Following successful surgery and all tests coming back negative, Mr Barrows vowed

to continue his involvement with prostate cancer in a positive way. “The ﬁrst thing I did was ride in the ProState Active bike ride from Perth to Margaret River only a couple of months out of surgery. My surgeon didn’t think I could do it, and neither did anyone else, but I really put myself to the test,” Mr Barrows said. He said he wanted people to see just how quickly he could go back to normal life after prostate cancer surgery. Mr Barrows has been involved in awareness talks and fundraising for PCFA and is booked in the Perth to Margaret River ride once again this year. He is determined to write a book about living with prostate cancer, incorporating his successful journey and highlighting the continual ﬁght his father has with the illness.

Life is not lost after a prostate cancer diagnosis When architect Dennis Liew built the Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital in Penang in Malaysia in 1975, little did he know decades down the track he would be diagnosed with cancer. “I was inspired by the spirit of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood (FMDM) sisters and the poor people who suffered from cancer,” Mr Liew said. “The FMDM sisters’ mission is to accept cancer patients regardless of their race, religion or ﬁnancial status and is a not-for-proﬁt hospital.”

cent higher than the previous years’ ﬁgure,” he said. A subsequent biopsy in early 2013 conﬁrmed he had prostate cancer, shocking him and his wife. Two weeks later, Mr Liew came out of a successful laparoscopic radical prostatectomy surgery but was unaware of the circumstances he would have to deal with post-surgery. But the 74-year-old said life was not lost after a prostate cancer diagnosis.

From 2010 to 2012, Mr Liew’s prostate speciﬁc antigen (PSA) reading jumped signiﬁcantly and unexpectedly.

“Be grateful and thank God everyday that you are still alive. Think positive and be prepared to make adjustments to your lifestyle,” he said.

“I was ﬁt and healthy and unaware of my condition until my PSA test showed the PSA score was 50 per

Mr Liew continues to enjoy an active lifestyle and particularly enjoys playing tennis at his local club.

Helping the gay community on their journey Perth man Peter Bastow didn’t expect a call informing him of a prostate cancer diagnosis just days before his birthday in April last year.

At the same time, PCFA was looking at the need for support groups speciﬁcally in relation to gay, bisexual and transgender men within the Perth community.

“My urologist rang on April 29 and told me I had three cancers on the left hand side which would require surgery,” he said.

When Mr Bastow approached PCFA it was decided he would work with the organisation to head up a peer group for gay, bisexual and transgender men as co-leader.

After the shock of the diagnosis subsided momentarily, Mr Bastow looked for a support group to help him understand his journey with prostate cancer but what he found shocked him. “I couldn’t ﬁnd support for gay people like myself. I found a mainstream support group but when I approached them, it was said to me I should refrain from mentioning I was gay,” he said.

The group meets at 7pm on the third Tuesday of each month at the WA AIDS Council (WAC). During one of the ﬁrst meetings, Mr Bastow said there were about nine attendees with which he shared his story and prompted others to do so too.

“In Sydney they have lots of support groups because of the high gay population there.

He said even though he was still in the midst of deciding on treatment for his cancer, leading the group had been a positive-yet-sharp learning curve.

“But in WA there wasn’t a gay, bisexual or transexual support group for men with prostate cancer when I was ﬁrst diagnosed.”

“I’ve helped with HIV support groups, but this is the ﬁrst time I have had the condition that I am helping build a support group for,” he said.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.pcfa.org.au

Mr Ledger thanks his life-saving motorsport Prominent Perth businessman Kim Ledger believes his passion for motorsports saved his life. Three years ago, the then 61-yearold and father of the late actor Heath Ledger underwent obligatory health checks as part of the Confederation of Australian Motorsports and stumbled upon an increase in his prostate speciﬁc antigen (PSA) reading. With the reading quite low, his doctor at the time suggested monitoring it. But Mr Ledger was determined to make sure nothing was wrong.

The base reading allowed the cancer to be detected once levels changed, rather than waiting until the levels became abnormal. He said had he not pushed, he wouldn’t have known about it. On the basis of seeing friends and associates passing away with the chronic illness, Mr Ledger has become an advocate for prostate cancer awareness. “It appears to be showing in younger and younger men. That’s the danger,” he said.

He was referred to a urologist and underwent further tests including a biopsy.

“It’s important that every male takes a blood test and sets themselves a PSA level.”

Despite the relatively low PSA reading, Mr Ledger’s biopsy picked up a slow growing cancer and he made the decision to have surgery instead of continuing to monitor the cancer.

He said there were a lot of theories as to what caused his cancer, but he believed it was down to stress.

The surgery was successful, but it wasn’t until the pathology of the tumours came back larger than expected Mr Ledger realised how serious his condition had been. “I really didn’t have any more than a month or so. (If I hadn’t had surgery) I wouldn’t be here now,” he said. “My case is quite common. I’m just lucky I had a bit of a base reading and I watch myself physically because of my motorsport. “In fact, I would say my motorsport saved me.”

“Obviously prior to that I went through a very stressful period and we all have cells inside us that can turn on you,” he said. “In life, I feel like I handle stress pretty well but maybe I handle it so well externally that I actually internalise it a bit.” Last year, Mr Ledger signed on as the patron of the Perth to Margaret River Prostate Cancer Awareness Cycle held in September to raise money for PCFA. This year, he has agreed to take up the patronage for the 2014 event in October.

Jeff Newman weathers his own storm Despite being diagnosed with prostate cancer in April last year, Channel 7’s former weather presenter Jeff Newman is living a happy, fulﬁlling retirement dotted with golf, travel and charity work.

Despite regular check-ups at the urologist, Mr Newman said he was living his life normally and had a trip organised to see his daughter in Hong Kong later in the year.

Not long after his brother was diagnosed in 2012, the 69-year-old had a biopsy come back positive for prostate cancer in early 2013.

“Life goes on,” he said.

“(My brother) urged me to make sure I kept checking my PSA reading on a regular basis, which I did. The next reading came through and it was high. I had the biopsy and that eventually came back positive,” he said. Mr Newman subsequently spent some time with his urologist to make a decision on treatment and surgery. “It always comes as a shock. You make a decision to have it out and you decide on which way the operation is going to go,” he said. “You can have the open surgery, keyhole surgery or robotic surgery and I chose the robotic surgery which is what my brother had chosen too.” Mr Newman said he took a while to have the surgery since he had planned an overseas trip to France. “Nothing was going to stop me from doing that. I went to France and then came back and had the surgery last September,” he said. “It was quite painless. The operation was in the morning and the next afternoon I was home. There’s no pain associated with it although the inconvenience of a catheter is quite high. “The incontinence afterwards is, in my opinion, short term. In my case, the incontinence subsided after eight weeks of pelvic ﬂoor exercises and wearing pads. After that you don’t have to worry too much about it.”

The main message Mr Newman wanted to get out there was for blokes to stray away from the ‘she’ll be right’ approach in regards to health. “That sort of attitude is no good. Men’s health is just as important as anybody’s health. Men should be more aware of it and that’s why prostate cancer awareness should increase,” he said. Mr Newman stressed it was important to get the PSA checked in accordance with regular health checks at the doctors. “It’s been pointed out to me that Australia and New Zealand have a higher incidence of prostate cancer than anywhere in the US or Europe, and that is because apparently they’re more aware and they have it checked regularly.” Mr Newman said for men to become aware, it was important the wider community constantly talked about it. “It would be great if the people concerned in the Know Your Score round could lobby the AFL or the NRL to have their own awareness rounds,” he said.“There’s nothing wrong with talking about it in this day and age.” Mr Newman also urged the community to lobby politicians and health funds to change medical rebates in relation to prostate cancer. “This is another thing men should be aware of too – the louder you yell, the more people are going to listen,” he said. “Awareness brings two things – a solution to the problem and a possibility for change.”

Different Roads One Common Path!

Practical and emotional support for regional areas PCFA works closely with Cancer Council of Western Australia (CCWA) and WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network where opportunities arise. Working collaboratively with these organisations allows PCFA to provide a broader range of services in regional areas of WA. CCWA offers a wide range of practical and emotional support and information about cancer through regional networks to anyone affected by cancer across Western Australia. CCWA CEO Susan Rooney said being diagnosed with cancer and the treatment process was a difﬁcult journey for anyone. “No one who is diagnosed with cancer should have to walk alone,” she said. Ms Rooney said the organisation provided a range of support for people in regional areas with cancer support coordinators located in most of the large centres. “Regional support coordinators are health professionals who help connect people to services available in their area. It’s important because it is a lot more difﬁcult and complex for people in regional areas to get to services,” she said. As well as cancer support groups offering a supportive environment, Life Now

programs are available for those interested in yoga, meditation and exercise to help benefit the overall emotional and physical health of cancer patients, their families and carers. Ms Rooney said free transport was also offered for eligible patients to and from their medical appointments. This service is made possible by volunteer drivers and can be a real benefit to patients who may not have access to their own vehicle or who do not have relatives that can assist. “CCWA has a network of qualified counsellors who provide face-to-face and telephone counselling to people affected by cancer across the state,” she said. “People find it helpful to talk to a professional counsellor at different stages of their cancer journey. All of these services are for free.” Financial and legal assistance as well as accommodation assistance is available through CCWA for eligible candidates. “We also provided accommodation services to 4000 country cancer patients last year when they came to Perth for treatment,” Ms Rooney said. Visit www.cancerwa.asn.au for more information.

Eric Jas (Atteris) and Mike Hussey, Perth BAB Launch 2013.

The Big Aussie Barbie works to ignite the nation Now in its ﬁfth year, the Big Aussie Barbie is a chance for you to do something positive for men’s health – by doing what Australians do best and hosting a barbie. Hosting a fundraising barbie during September is a great way to catch up with friends and family, enjoy some lovely food and celebrate the men in our lives.

Last year over 500 barbies were held across the nation, raising more than $800,000 for prostate cancer research, awareness and support programs. This year, the event is aiming to raise $1 million. Why not host a Big Aussie Barbie this September? Visit www.bigaussiebarbie.com.au for more information.

THE FLOURISHING OF THE MALE HEALTH AND WELLBEING SECTOR Visit our new website to download your free copy of either the blokes’ book; directory of services for all males in WA, or the mooditj marmun book; directory of services for Noongar males. For a snapshot of male health in WA and great ideas about future directions and strategies for improving male health and wellbeing download our MAN report.

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EVERY STEP HELPS AN AUSSIE BLOKE GET BETTER.

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from every pair of BLUE BOOTS sold is donated to improve Men’s Health.

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For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.pcfa.org.au

Critical support link for blokes out in the country

The Regional Men’s Health Initiative is a Royalties for Regions funded project promoting men’s holistic health and wellbeing. Senior Community Educator Owen Catto said the organisation provided community education presentations on topics such as men’s physical, mental and social or spiritual health.

Two education sessions are delivered at each site which includes one session for community members and one for health care professionals.

Men in regional areas have a 21 per cent higher risk of dying from prostate cancer than those in metropolitan areas, PCFA reports. “There’s not enough information out there in terms of prostate cancer and how it impacts men’s sexual wellbeing,” Mr Catto said.

“We do a lot of talking to blokes at the coalface from footy clubs, rotary clubs and community groups to agricultural shows, expos and ﬁeld days. One of the issues we talk about is prostate awareness and men’s sexual wellbeing,” he said.

He said men resisted seeking help and mental health problems were higher in blokes in rural and regional areas because of isolation and the warrior attitude, which would often inhibit help-seeking behaviour in blokes.

The initiative connects people to appropriate services to assist in dealing with underlying concerns.

“Blokes are warriors and that stoic attitude is prevalent in rural and regional men which can contribute to delays in them getting to the doctor. The distance factor and lack of services plays a role in this as well,” he said.

Mr Catto said the group worked to help individuals understand the importance of taking responsibility for their health and wellbeing, including in the instance of a prostate cancer diagnosis.

PCFA delivers education to rural and regional areas in WA through the PCFA Rural Education Roadshow.

These education sessions involve delivery by prostate cancer specialists in urology, radiation oncology or medical oncology and a specialist cancer nurse. The PCFA Rural Education Roadshow is based on a program developed in WA by the Department of Health and is supported by the Australian Federal Government.

For more information or to talk to a community educator at Regional Men’s Health, call 9690 2277.

We’re your compass through cancer

Call us on

13 11 20 www.cancerwa.asn.au

The WA Cancer Nurse Coordination Service is a free statewide service for people affected by cancer, providing clinical support, information, timely referral from diagnosis through to survivorship. Further information: The WA Cancer & Palliative Care Network P: 08 92220202 E: wacpcn@health.wa.gov.au www.healthnetworks.health.wa.gov.au/cancer

... raising awareness of men’s wellbeing For more information contact the team: E: menshealth@4blokes.com.au T: 08 9690 2277

www.regionalmenshealth.com.au

Find a shed near you at

www.wamsa.org.au P: 0414 950 902 E: admin@wamsa.org.au

MEN’S SHED AS S O CI ATION

LIfTiNg tHe lId oN bLaDdEr aNd bOwEl iSsUeS.

Specialists in continence management Shenton Park: 9381 7940 Claremont: 9230 6310

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Our experienced continence advisors, including a Prostate Care Nurse, provide ongoing, supportive care for men with Prostate Cancer. We provide information about services, continence pads and products, resources and product subsidies.

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(08) 9386 9777 Metro Callers

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WA Country Callers

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However research shows rural and regional blokes are less likely to get the help they need both physically and emotionally due to isolation and fewer available services.

“We provide that critical support link for blokes that have or have had prostate cancer, or are going through the diagnosis process. We have a resilience ofﬁcer for support if needed but more importantly, we guide blokes in the right direction to seek the best medical advice for them in the bigger regional centres or back in Perth,” Mr Catto said.

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The health and wellbeing of blokes in regional areas is just as important as those in metropolitan areas.

PCFA Rural Education Roadshow

Different Roads One Common Path!

How you can help! Donating All donations over $2 are tax deductible and can be made to PCFA by: Phone: 1800 220 099 and quote credit card number. Online: www.prostate.org.au and click on donate. Post: Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia Unit 1/294 Newcastle Street, Perth WA 6000. Regular Giving: Call 1800 220 099. Volunteering opportunities PCFA WA ofﬁce welcomes volunteers for fundraising events and other activities. Call 9381 7444 or email perth@prostate.org.au for further details. Participating in WA events Call 9381 7444 or visit www.pcfa.org.au for information on upcoming events in WA. Corporate support Partnering with PCFA offers businesses the opportunity to engage with employees and customers, reach out to the community and have an impact on better prostate cancer outcomes. Ways your company can get involved: • Corporate donations • Partnerships or sponsorships

• • •

Cause-related marketing Workplace and matched giving Staff volunteering

Making a bequest In 1994 one of Australia’s best known and most respected television personalities Roger Climpson was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Despite the positive outcome of a successful surgery, Mr Climpson’s experience led him to realise the situation for men with prostate cancer had to be improved. “In 10 years PCFA has achieved much to help men and their families affected by prostate cancer…but there is still so much to do and I ask of you all to help us ﬁnd the answers together.” Mr Climpson said a bequest to PCFA would help fund research into the cause, diagnosis and prevention of prostate cancer. Making a bequest to PCFA, no matter how small is an investment in the future of the community. Should you wish to consider leaving the foundation a bequest, please email enquiries@pcfa.org.au for a copy of our bequest booklet.

ConnectGroups is the peak body for self help and support groups in Western Australia. The organisation acts as a referral service for families and individuals looking for self help and support groups, offering assistance and training to existing groups and providing an advocacy service by contributing to government policy.

Multidisciplinary care team

Survivorship Detection

Diagnosis

Treatment and managing side effects

Follow-up care End of life care

Supportive care As the diagram Your cancer journey shows, it can be useful to think of the journey in stages. It can be helpful to take each stage as it comes so you can break down what can feel like an overwhelming situation into smaller, more manageable steps. Members of the multidisciplinary care team can help facilitate delivery of best care related to each of these stages. Best care may also include facilitating access to supportive care such as information, education, practical and emotional support.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.pcfa.org.au

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia WA branch services guide Cancer Care and Support

Mateship

Cancer Council WA Location: West Perth 9212 4333 www.cancerwa.asn.au

Australian Men’s Sheds Association Location: statewide 1300 550 009 www.mensshed.org

Cancer Council Helpline Location: statewide 13 11 20 www.cancercouncil.com.au Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia Location: Perth 9381 7444 www.pcfa.org.au

PCFA Support Network Location: various 9381 7444 www.pcfa.org.au Mens Work 0448 895 429 www.mensworkproject.org

WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network Location: East Perth 9222 0202 www.healthworks.health.wa.gov.au/ cancer/home

MAN Location: statewide 9218 8044 www.man.org.au

SolarisCare Location: Perth 6383 3475 www.solariscare.org.au

Beyond Blue Location: statewide 1300 224 636 www.beyondblue.org.au

Men’s Health

MensLine Australia Location: statewide 1300 789 978 www.mensline.org.au

Andrology Australia Location: statewide 1300 303 878 www.andrologyaustralia.org MAN Location: statewide 9218 8044 www.man.org.au Regional Men’s Health Location: Northam 9690 2277 www.regionalmenshealth.com.au RuralLink Location: statewide www.mentalhealth.wa.gov.au Genesis Cancer Care WA 9400 6200 www.genesiscancercarewa.com.au

Mental Health

Continence Continence Advisory Service of WA Location: statewide 9386 9777, 1800 814 925 www.continencewa.org.au Sexual Health Integrated Sexual Health Location: West Perth 9226 1377 www.claremontsexualhealth.com.au Sexual Focus Location: North Perth 0412 147 917 www.sexualfocus.com.au

WA Sexual Health Centre Location: Nedlands 9389 1400 www.wasexualhealthcentre.com.au Keogh Institute for Medical Research, Men’s Health Location: Nedlands 9346 2008 www.kimr.org

Physiotherapy Judith Thompson – Body Logic Physiotherapy Location: Shenton Park and Claremont 9381 7940 www.bodylogicphysiotherapy.com Jo Milios – Complete Physiotherapy Location: Duncraig 9203 7070 www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au Continence Advisory Service of WA Location: call for nearest continence physiotherapist 9386 9777, 1800 814 925 www.continencewa.org.au

Exercise Programs ECU Health and Wellness Institute Location: ECU Joondalup 6304 2329 www.ecuhealthwellnessinstitute.org Prost! Exercise 4 Prostate Cancer Inc. Location: Leederville 0408 022 950 www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au

Relationships Anglicare WA Location: statewide 9263 2000 www.anglicare.org.au Relationships Australia 1300 364 277 www.relationships.org.au

Nurses

Home Help

WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network Location: East Perth 9222 0202 www.healthworks.health.wa.gov.au/ cancer/home

Silver Chain Location: Osborne Park 9242 0242 www.silverchain.org.au

Continence Advisory Service of WA Location: call for nearest continence nurse 9386 9777, 1800 814 925 www.continencewa.org.au Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia Location: Perth 9381 7444 www.pcfa.org.au

General Support (LGBTI) Living Proud 1800 184 527 www.livingproud.org.au PCFA Support Group Location: Perth 9381 7444 www.pcfa.org.au

General Support (Indigenous) Southwest Aboriginal Medical Service Location: south-west regions 1800 779 000 www.swams.com.au Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service Location: Geraldton 9566 6555 Debari Yerrigan Health Service Location: Perth 9421 3888 www.debarlyerrigan.com.au

Department of Human Services Location: statewide 131 794 www.humanservices.gov.au

Financial Assistance CBA Financial Hardship Location: statewide, nationwide 1300 720 814 www.commbank.com.au Department of Human Services Location: statewide 131 794 www.humanservices.gov.au

Emergency and Helplines Health Direct 1800 022 222 Family Helpline 1800 643 000 Mental Health Emergency Response Line 1300 555 788 (Metro), 1800 676 822 (Peel) Alcohol and Drug Information Service 9442 5000 Royal Flying Doctor Service 1800 625 800 RuralLink 1800 552 002 Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20 Lifeline 13 11 14 Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Prostate Cancer Packs With funding from the Australian Federal Government through Cancer Australia, PCFA has developed a suite of new resources for men with advanced prostate cancer, younger men, gay and bisexual men and partners and carers. In September 2013 PCFA launched the ﬁrst of these new resources, and more recently the Advanced Prostate Cancer Pack. A revised Localised Prostate Cancer Pack has also been developed with generous funding from Gandel Philanthropy.

The distribution of these revised and new patient packs throughout WA in 2014 is being proudly supported by Apache Energy. To obtain a free copy please call PCFA on 1800 220 099.

Men’s Health Week is a great way to raise the proﬁle of male health in Australia.

THANK YOU Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia would like to thank our 2014 WA supporters.

Men’s Health Week is a time to raise awareness of high risk male disease. It is a time to encourage men to take responsibility for their health and be proactive about taking steps to improve their health. It is also a time to acknowledge the important roles men and boys have in our community and celebrate the contributions they make to our lives. Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer in men in Australia, and the second greatest cause of male cancer deaths. With prostate cancer early detection is the key to saving lives. It is important that men talk about their health and help raise awareness of serious health issues like prostate cancer. Dr Kim Hames Deputy Permier, Minister for Health, Training and Workforce Development

I encourage you to use this week to think about male health and the health of the men and boys in your life. I encourage you to take positive steps toward improving your health in 2014 and talk to the men in your life, your neighbour, your workmates, or male colleagues. The WA Department of Health proudly supports the distribution of this magazine publication throughout regional WA.

www.pcfa.org.au

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