FUNDRAISING
PROSTATENEWS REDUCING THE IMPACT OF PROSTATE CANCER
ISSUE 62 / JANUARY 2016
ENGAGING ATSI COMMUNITIES IN PROSTATE CANCER HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS
CONTENTS, CEO MESSAGE & NATIONAL BOARD
Contents Research .............................. 03 Awareness ............................ 05 PSA Guidelines ..................... 07 Support .................................... 09 Around the Country .............. 12 Fundraising ................................ 13
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Message from the CEO Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia has been working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and specialist workers to develop prostate cancer resources for the community since 2012. It is a strategic priority for PCFA to ensure that evidence-based, culturally appropriate, and easily accessible prostate cancer information and support is available to all Australians. It is known that there is a paucity of prostate cancer information available covering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It is also noted that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men have poor knowledge of prostate cancer issues and this is a barrier to improving prostate cancer services and support for these men. In an effort to bridge these gaps, PCFA commissioned a research activity into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prostate cancer men’s issues and began responding to these community findings.
educational resources intended to improve prostate cancer awareness in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and their communities. These resources are part of the Supporting men with prostate cancer through evidence-based resources and support project which is a Cancer Australia initiative, funded by the Australian Government. So, it was with great pleasure on 23 October at Bangarra Dance Theatre in Sydney that we launched three educational flipcharts for health professionals who work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and a monograph entitled Engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities in Prostate Cancer Health Care Programs. These new resources can be found at www.pcfa.org.au/publications/forhealthcare-professionals/aboriginal-andtorres-strait-islander-resources/. We trust that the monograph and flipcharts will provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, their communities and practitioners with information that is evidence-based and culturally appropriate.
Leading from this research PCFA has now worked extensively with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and health practitioners around Australia to develop
Associate Professor Anthony Lowe, Chief Executive Officer, PCFA
Chairman Jim Hughes AM
National Support Groups Ian Wagner (Chairman)
State Chairmen Peter Haylen (NSW/ACT)
Deputy Chairman Steve Callister
Marketing & Fundraising Steve Callister (Chairman)
Geoff Underwood (VIC/ TAS)
Finance & Operations Chris Hall (Chairman)
Rotary John Palmer
Awareness & Education Professor Mark Frydenberg (Chairman)
Research Advisory Emeritus Professor Bruce Armstrong AM (Chairman)
Distinguished Professor Judith Clements AC (QLD)
National Board
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Bill Munro (WA)
Michael Brock (SA/NT)
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Message from the Chairman May I start this short article by thanking each and every one of you for your fantastic support of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. As you know we are working strongly on our three pillars of Research, Awareness and Support for those men and their families affected by prostate cancer. To know that we have the ongoing support of each of you in pursuit of our objectives is instrumental to our ongoing success. As you may be aware we were delighted in 2011 to receive a $4 million grant from the Australian Government through Cancer Australia. Accordingly over the last four years this grant has enabled us to achieve many wonderful things. We’ve developed a detailed array of prostate cancer information leaflets in the five
most commonly spoken languages in Australia, next to English. And recently we launched a series of educational material for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. As well we have been building on our essential Support Group base. Ninety new Support Groups have been established throughout Australia bringing our current compliment to a fantastic 172 active groups. We recognise that the world is changing and many of our stakeholders are asking for information to be delivered in electronic form, obviously therefore to be available 24x7 across Australia instantaneously. We have been very busy working on this aspect of our communication mediums alongside traditional methods. Please take some time to have a look at our revised website (www.pcfa.org.au) as there is an extraordinary amount of valuable information relating to prostate cancer available at your fingertips.
I am also pleased to advise that there are now 27 Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses in various regions throughout Australia initially funded with the generous support of the Movember Foundation in a key grant to PCFA. Finally, thank you to all our supporters for your ongoing fantastic assistance. We are a community organisation and rely heavily on this support which comes in many forms from our valued volunteers and staff.
With Best Wishes, Jim Hughes AM
Vale Chris McPherson At age 61 PCFA Award recipient and founder of the Biggest Ever Blokes Lunches, Chris McPherson, passed away on 23 December 2015. Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007, Chris turned his own personal challenge into an opportunity for the community by playing a key role in instigating the Biggest Ever Blokes Lunches which started in Shepparton, Victoria and have since spread to 11 other locations around Australia. Chris was a tireless campaigner for prostate cancer and will be sadly missed by all at PCFA. Our thoughts are with his wife, Gaye, son James (married to Megan, with son Oliver), and daughter Elizabeth (husband, Alex).
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RESEARCH
What’s new in the Research Program? 2015 has been the year of implementing our new research funding strategy. With the support of The Movember Foundation, for the first time, we issued a call for applications in two new categories of funding: ‘Movember Clinical Trial’ and ‘Movember Clinician Scientist Awards’.
In November 2015 we announced the winners within the Movember Clinician Scientist Award category. This fellowship provides qualified clinicians the chance to establish their research career in prostate cancer. Two top Australian clinicians, Dr Ian Vela, Queensland University of Technology and Dr Kate Mahon, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, will use their fellowships to help them work closely with laboratory scientists and further their careers in prostate cancer research hence bridging the gap between clinical and laboratory work. Each award recipient will receive up to $450,000 to support research into prostate cancer biology, treatment, diagnosis, survivorship and prevention. In the next three years, with the support of his award, Dr Vela will focus on research into precision medicine in advanced and oligometastatic prostate cancer. Dr Mahon will investigate Docetaxel (chemotherapy) resistance in advanced metastatic prostate cancer. The best, short listed applications within the Clinical trial category are currently undergoing expert peer review. In 2015, we invested in two other critical areas: supporting young scientists and seeking and funding new, first in field ideas in prostate cancer research. PCFA’s Research Advisory Committee met in Melbourne on 23 October 2015 to discuss successful applicants in both categories.
We’re very pleased to announce the 2015 New Concept Grants and John Mills Young Investigator Awards recipients;
New Concept Grants • Professor Ken Ho - Princess Alexandra Hospital • Professor Judith Clements - Translational Research Institute, QUT • Professor Kirill Alexandrov - The University of Queensland Proudly funded by the It’s A Bloke Thing Foundation. • Professor Magnus Nyden - University of South Australia • Professor Des Richardson - University of Sydney • Professor Paul Neeson - Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Proudly funded by the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride.
John Mills Young Investigator Awards • Dr Nathalie Bock - Queensland University of Technology Proudly funded by the It’s A Bloke Thing Foundation. • Dr Jingli Hao - University of New South Wales Proudly funded by the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride.
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RESEARCH
Meet Dr Wendy Winnall We welcomed our new staff member, Wendy Winnall, PhD., Scientific Writer and Pathfinder Coordinator in August 2015.
Photo: Dr Wendy Winnall
Wendy was awarded a PhD from the University of Adelaide and has worked as a medical scientist for over 10 years. She has studied the infection and immune responses of the male reproductive system at Monash University and the University of Melbourne. She started with us after completing a 4 year fellowship position at the Doherty Institute where she studied HIV infection and transmission through the male reproductive tract. Wendy is the author of 33 scientific
publications and has extensive experience speaking at national and international meetings. She is passionate about communicating scientific achievements to the public. Prior to becoming a scientific writer at PCFA, Wendy has been a science communicator as a volunteer for DonateLife and the International Day of Immunology, and was a founding member of the successful Melbourne HIV Exchange network. In her new role Wendy will also be in charge of coordinating the activities of Pathfinder Registry.
Does eating meat cause cancer? Dr Wendy Winnall Scientific Writer and Pathfinder Coordinator, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia The recent announcement by the World Health Organization (WHO) that consumption of meat increases the risk of cancer has caused much debate and concern amongst the community. This finding is the conclusion of a large analysis by an international panel of experts who reviewed over 800 studies into meat consumption and cancer risk. Specifically the WHO has stated that: • There is sufficient evidence to conclude that consumption of processed meat is a cause of colorectal (bowel) cancers, • Fresh red meat is a probable carcinogen. • There is strong evidence that fresh red meat contains carcinogenic substances and limited evidence that it actually causes cancer in humans. • The association with cancer was strongest for colorectal cancers, but also notable for prostate and pancreatic cancer. • Processed meat refers to ham, bacon, salami and similar goods, as opposed
to fresh red meat that has not been processed, such as lamb, beef or pork. It’s important to recognize that the classification of processed meat as an IARC group 1 carcinogen does not mean that processed meat is as dangerous as tobacco or asbestos exposure, which are also in group 1. The classification is based on the level of evidence, not the level of risk. The evidence that processed meat causes cancer is strong, but the increased risk itself is only small. Eating meat is certainly not as dangerous as smoking or asbestos exposure. The WHO estimates that 34,000 deaths per year from cancer can be attributed to eating processed meat. Smoking, on the other hand, causes 600,000 and alcohol 200,000 deaths per year from cancer. If meat causes cancer, should we then all become vegetarians? A vegetarian diet has many benefits, however lean meat can be part of a healthy, balanced diet. Meat is an important source of iron, zinc, vitamins and protein. Cancer Council Australia and the National Health and Medical Research Council’s recommend that adults can eat serves of up to 100 grams of cooked red meat, three to four times a week. They also recommend minimising processed meat,
as well as including fish, whole-grains, fruit and vegetables in a balanced diet. For colorectal cancers, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding smoking are also recommended to reduce the risk. A safe level of processed meat consumption was not directly addressed by the large WHO analysis, so it’s difficult to recommend a specific safe level. One of the many studies analysed by the committee involved a large cohort of >34,000 people in Melbourne. Three or less serves of fresh red meat a week did not increase the risk of cancer in these people, however the safe level of processed meat was only 1.5 serves per week. Other studies showed a similar pattern, such as a European study involving almost 500,000 people that showed only a very low level of processed meat was safe. If you are the type of person who always has bacon for breakfast or ham sandwiches for lunch every day, this would certainly fall into the higher risk category. If this sounds like your lifestyle, then reducing the amount of processed meat you eat, or replacing it with lean meat, is recommended in order to reduce your risk of colorectal, prostate and pancreatic cancers.
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AWARENESS
Nursing news Singapore nurses visit Australia Hollywood Private Hospital’s Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse Lisa Ferri hosted two newly appointed Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses from Singapore, Karine Sim and Sarah Chen, on a field trip in September last year. The purpose was for them to gain a better understanding of the Specialist Nursing Service within an Australian private health care setting. Karine and Sarah were welcomed by the Director of Clinical Services Karen Gullick and Deputy Director of Clinical Services, Kathy Pedler, at a morning tea to discuss the similarities and variations in service provision in Australia and Singapore. Prior to arriving in Perth, Karine and Sarah joined Lisa and the other 26 Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses at PCFA’s Annual Nursing Training event in Melbourne. Here they had the opportunity to meet nurses from a variety of healthcare settings around Australia to establish professional networking relationships. After Melbourne Karine, Sarah and Lisa had a busy two day schedule in Perth. They met with Urology Nurses,
Continence Advisors and Urologists to discuss local service provision, treatment protocols, survivorship care and supportive services. Karine and Sarah observed newly diagnosed patient consultations, attended a Urology Procedure List for treatment work up, visited the operating room) and observed a brief training session on the Da Vinci Xi surgical robot prior to the commencement of a Robotic Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy. The field trip concluded with reviewing the availability of patient information resources and supportive services in the community, discussion of similar shared experiences and an acknowledgment of a common goal in supporting men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Presentation at Singapore Cancer Society Trish Husband, Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse at The Townsville Hospital, Queensland was invited to present at the Singapore Cancer Society Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse training from 13-17 January 2016. She provided one day of presentations for three of the Singapore Cancer Society Prostate
Cancer Specialist Nurses from three local hospitals – Singapore General Hospital (SGH), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and National University Hospital Singapore (NUH) on • Experience on starting a Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse Service • Cancer survivorship in Australia • Patient date collection and storage • Business case submission • Services provided by the Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse and how follow-up is provided for the different treatment modalities or stages of cancer • Discharge criteria for patients Trish also provided three half day sessions with the nurses from the urology departments at SGH, TTSH and NUH to understand the roles and expectations of being a Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse. On top of that Trish met with the Singapore Cancer Society Walnut Warriors Support Group to discuss cancer survivorship in Australia.
Prostate Cancer Information Evenings We are proud to have hosted a series of Prostate Cancer Information Evenings to increase knowledge and information on the latest news in prostate cancer treatments, and living better with prostate cancer. Evenings held in Canberra, Cairns, and Hobart, enabled us to bring together specialist panel to include; a GP, urologist, medical oncologist, survivor, and Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse. Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse Allison Turner, who presented at the Canberra evening, believes the event was beneficial
not only to men, but to their families as well. “A cancer diagnosis affects the whole family. There is a lot to learn and it can be hard to put all the pieces together,” she says. “The aim of this forum is to bring all that knowledge into the one place and provide a space for questions to be answered.” We would like to thank Janssen Pharmaceuticals for their support of these events, as well as local affiliated support groups and guest speakers who made these events possible. Photo: Medical Oncologist Dr Paul Craft presents at Canberra’s iconic Australian War Memorial at our Prostate Cancer Information Evening in Canberra, 17 September 2015.
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AWARENESS
Launch of PCFA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prostate cancer resources Until very recently, the vast majority of research conducted did not examine differences in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer between indigenous and non-indigenous men. This absence of information about indigenous men means that it is difficult for mainstream health services to cater for the needs of indigenous men with prostate cancer. Thanks to funding from the Australian Government through Cancer Australia, we were able to produce prostate cancer resources specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to address this gap.
On 23 October 2015 we officially launched the resources at the Bangarra Dance Theatre in Sydney. A didgeridoo player welcomed the guests and a smoking ceremony opened the event. Later the guests were treated to a traditional dance performance by the Koomurri dancers.
Flipcharts The prostate cancer resources specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are in the form of educational flipcharts. These resources feature artwork designed by Marcus Lee, whose Aboriginal heritage stems from the Karajarri people in the Kimberly region in Western Australia.
Monograph The aim of the monograph is to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health experts to discuss current health issues and raise awareness about prostate cancer amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men. The monograph is of specific interest to those with a concern for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men’s health and/or prostate cancer. The launch event and the monograph were proudly supported Janssen.
Photos from left to right: Didgeridoo player welcoming guests, Koomurri dancers performing, contributors to the resources, one of the three flipcharts
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PSA GUIDELINES
OPINION
PSA Testing Guideline Recommendations Approved by NHMRC
Associate Professor Anthony Lowe Chief Executive Officer, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
In partnership with Cancer Council Australia and a multi-disciplinary expert advisory panel comprising urologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, general practitioners, medical oncologists, epidemiologists, allied health professionals and consumers, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia has developed national evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on PSA testing and early management of testdetected prostate cancer. PCFA would like to acknowledge the Male Bag Ride as the major fundraising partner of the guidelines.
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The guideline recommendations have now been approved by the CEO of the National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia’s leading expert body for developing health advice for the Australian community, health professionals and governments.
• Men aged 70 years or older who have been informed of the benefits and harms of testing, and who wish to start or continue regular testing, should be advised that the harms of testing may be greater than the benefits for men of their age.
We developed the guidelines in order to resolve the controversy surrounding PSA testing for both men and their doctors. The guideline does not recommend a population screening program for prostate cancer (a program that offers testing to all men of a certain age group) as evidence does not support such a program. For men who decide to be tested it contains guidance on matters such as what age to start testing; how frequently to be tested; when to stop testing; the PSA level which should prompt further investigation; family history; and the role of the digital rectal examination.
• Men who have a father or one brother who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer have 2.5 to 3 times higher than average risk of developing the disease. Such men who have been informed of the benefits and harms of testing, and who decide to undergo regular testing for prostate cancer, should be offered PSA testing every 2 years from age 45 to 69.
The main recommendations contained in the guideline are as follows: • Men who are considering having a PSA test should be offered evidencebased decision support, including the opportunity to discuss the benefits and harms of PSA testing, before making the decision to be tested. Note that we are currently working on a PSA testing decision aid for use by men and their doctors. • Men who are at average risk of prostate cancer who have been informed of the benefits and harms of testing, and who decide to undergo regular testing for prostate cancer, should be offered PSA testing every 2 years from age 50 to 69. Further investigation should be offered if the total PSA concentration is greater than 3ng/mL.
• Men who have a father and two or more brothers who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer have at least 9 to 10 times higher than average risk of developing the disease. Such men who have been informed of the benefits and harms of testing, and who decide to undergo regular testing for prostate cancer, should be offered PSA testing every 2 years from age 40 to 69. • Digital rectal examination is not recommended as a routine addition to PSA testing in the primary care setting. Note, however, that on referral to a urologist or other specialist, digital rectal examination remains an important assessment procedure prior to biopsy. • Since any mortality benefit from early diagnosis of prostate cancer due to PSA testing is not seen within less than 6 to 7 years from testing, PSA testing is not recommended for men who are unlikely to live another 7 years.
PSA GUIDELINES
Other recommendations contained in the guideline cover further investigations if the PSA concentration is above 3ng/mL; prostate biopsy and multiparametric MRI; active surveillance; and watchful waiting. The full text of the guideline can be found at www.pcfa.org.au/psa-testing-guidelines. Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia will be actively promoting the guideline recommendations in the coming months. Our goal is to ensure that all Australian men are fully informed about prostate cancer and are in a position to make an informed decision about PSA testing based on the latest available evidence on the benefits and potential harms of testing and treatment for prostate cancer.
PSA TESTING AND EARLY MANAGEMENT OF TEST-DETECTED PROSTATE CANCER CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES A guideline for health professionals
Take home messages • The PSA testing guideline recommendations are approved by NHMRC • Men should be offered the opportunity to discuss the benefits and harms of PSA testing before making the decision to be tested • Men at average risk of prostate cancer who decide to be tested should be offered PSA testing every 2 years from age 50 to 69 • The harms of PSA testing may outweigh the benefits for men aged 70 and older • Men with a family history of prostate cancer who decide to be tested should be offered PSA testing every 2 years from age 40/ 45 to 69 with the starting age depending on the strength of their family history • Digital rectal examination is not recommended in addition to PSA testing in the primary care setting
The guidelines are dedicated to the memory of Dr Ian Roos OAM, who passed away in 10 April 2015 after a long battle with prostate cancer. Ian was a scholar, scientist, administrator, educator, guide, philosopher and friend of Cancer Council Australia and Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. His work as a consumer representative, patient advocate and policy advisor, since his diagnosis with an aggressive prostate cancer 16 years ago, set him apart. Dr Roos will be greatly missed.
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SUPPORT
Peak Body Consultation With ongoing advancements in diagnosis and treatment, more people than ever before are surviving cancer. Increasing need for support and information after treatment is giving rise to global initiatives being developed, with emphasis on collaborative and sustainable approaches.
Recently, we have been involved in the provision of feedback in the development of projects and resources to support the survivorship experience.
Photo: Daniel Moore
Photo: Australian Men’s Shed Association National Conference
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To address the financial and emotional concerns regarding return to work after cancer, the Union of International Cancer Control (UICC) has launched a practical guide for employers on how they can support their employee’s return to work after a cancer experience. The completed resources are available at www.iccp-portal.org/working-cancer and were released following the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit held in November 2015. We are also contributing to Clinical Oncology Society of Australia’s (COSA) consultation process on developing a Model of Cancer Survivorship Care encompassing the critical components of cancer survivorship care in Australia. As a peak health body, we look forward to strengthening our involvement and reach across international and national projects, in order to bring consideration to the prostate cancer experience and to benefit the Australian community at large.
Introducing Daniel We are pleased to welcome Daniel Moore to the Support & Community Outreach Team in the role of Network Support. Daniel is the primary point of contact for all support groups and manages the administrative support to include; general assistance and information, processing of expense claims, resource ordering and maintaining support group records. Daniel looks forward to connecting with group leaders and assisting the Network.
National Conference Australian Men’s Shed Association We attended the 6th National Conference of the Australian Men’s Shed Association in October. This event, hosted in Newcastle NSW, brought together several hundred delegates from Men’s Sheds across Australia and New Zealand. This was a fantastic opportunity to connect with Men’s Shedders, and to share information with them on our
SUPPORT
resources and Support Groups, that the attendees could take back to share with their Shed members. We were able to also promote the availability of the Ambassador Program, as Sheds often host guest speakers on health issues. With over 50 Sheds expressing interest in hosting an Ambassador speaker, we look forward to working with the Sheds throughout 2016 on promoting prostate cancer awareness. Thank you to our Ambassadors Gary Herrett and Garry Minto for delivering a session on ‘Your Prostate, Your Shed: What You Need to Know’. It was a fantastic presentation on how we can assist Sheds across Australia.
Agquip Field Days New Holland Agriculture has partnered with us to raise awareness of prostate cancer within regional and rural communities, where men are 20 per cent less likely to survive the disease than those residing in metropolitan areas. We have utilized this partnership to work with local support groups to have a strengthened presence at Field Days in Gunnedah
NSW and York Peninsula SA. We would like to thank and acknowledge the great work of the Inverall, Armidale, Tamworth, Port Pirie, Yorke Peninsula PCSGs and Prostate Cancer Action Group across these events. With the support of New Holland Agriculture, we look forward to attending more Field Days in 2016 and encourage any local support groups interested in being involved to contact the Support and Community Outreach Team.
WA Support Group Leader Team Day The WA Chapter Council held a Support Group Leader Team Day in September 2015. The purpose of the day was to connect and inform group leaders. Presentations from urologist Mr Sris Baskaranathan on the latest developments in diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer were warmly received as well as our updates to include an introduction session on the Online Network.
Engaging Regional Communities
Video linkups sessions with remote health centres have been successfully introduced by the Bathurst PCSG. The initiative proved successful with Broken Hill, Cobar, Nyngan, Warren, Condobolin and Parkes being able to be connected to presentations from health professionals at Bathurst Hospital.
Mackay PCSG Men’s Health Forum
The Mackay PCSG held a successful two day Men’s Health Forum in October 2015. In partnership with the North Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), the program received accreditation from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) to inform and engage with over 50 General Practitioners, Nurses and Allied Health Professionals. The second day of the forum was attended by 90 members of the public. We were proud to support the Mackay PCSG in their professional coordination and delivery of the well-received forum.
Photo: Agquip Field Day
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SUPPORT
Free healthy lifestyle program for cancer survivors A new program for cancer survivors has recently launched at Cancer Councils New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia; Healthy Living after Cancer Getting back to a healthy lifestyle after cancer is one of the most important things you can do for your health. The Healthy Living after Cancer program will help you to get active, eat better and feel better, so that you can do more of the things that are valuable to you. Cancer survivors who take part in the program receive up to 12 telephone calls over a period of 6 months from a Cancer
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Council nurse or health consultant, along with a program workbook. The nurse or health consultant will work with you to make healthy lifestyle changes by setting goals for physical activity and healthy eating, and will help you reach these goals by giving you support, helpful tips and motivation. The program is available to adults living in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, the ACT, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, who were treated with curative intent for any type of cancer and who have finished active treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The program is available both to people diagnosed and treated for cancer recently as well as those who had cancer many years ago.
If you are interested in finding out more about the program or would like to signup to take part, please phone Cancer Council on 13 11 20 and ask about the Healthy Living after Cancer program.
PROSTATE CANCER KILLS 3,300 MEN EVERY YEAR Why regular gifts are so important By making a regular gift, you’ll help save more men’s lives while reducing the impact prostate cancer has on Australian families. That’s because regular gifts give us the ongoing and dependable income we need to plan for the long term and ensure continuity of our services to reach more men who need us today and tomorrow.
Regular giving is a smart way to give: • It is quick and simple • It is flexible so you can start, stop and change your gift anytime • It is easy to manage for you and for us
Please help the 120,000 men and families living with prostate cancer - and the 20,000 more who will be diagnosed this year.
Email or call us to sign up Call : 1800 220 099 or (02) 9438 7000 Email : enquiries@pcfa.org.au
AROUND THE COUNTRY
WA ProState Active Cycle, the challenging two day journey from Perth to Margaret River, was completed by a team of 100 riders, in September last year. Thank you to the major sponsors: Commonwealth Bank, ECU Exercise Medicine Research Institute and Genesis Cancer Care WA. After a fantastic two days on the road together, all riders arrived to a warm welcome at Watershed Winery, Margaret River. Thank you to Geoff Barrett for supporting this event once again, and all the amazing support crew who provide traffic management and paramedic support along the way. Photo: ProState Active Cyclists
NSW/ACT
VIC/ TAS
Over 37,000 people around the world rode to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer on Sunday 27 September 2015. The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) was founded in Sydney in 2012 by Mark Hawwa and is now a worldwide phenomenon for custom motorcycle enthusiasts. Raising an exceptional amount of media the 2,500 riders who took part in Australia wore dapper outfits whilst riding through the streets, spreading the message of awareness of prostate cancer and the research the event funds. All funds raised donated to PCFA in 2015 go towards the New Concept Grants and John Mills Young Investigators Awards, to help find a cure for prostate cancer.
We have seen exceptional growth in the number of our regional ‘Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch’ events last year. Along with some fantastic local fundraisers in both Victoria and Tasmania such as ‘Whisky Live’, ‘Blue Friday’ and ‘Save the date for Prostate’. We are also excited to announce that David Parkin was awarded the PCFA Award for his outstanding service to Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. David is only the 7th recipient in PCFA’s history and is a well-deserved accolade for his tireless dedication to promoting prostate cancer awareness and men’s health in general.
Photo: Distinguished gentlemen riding in Sydney
Photo: ‘the Hairdresser’ at work
QLD
2 years ago Tiana Fry became ‘The Hairdresser’ raising funds at the Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Clubs annual rendezvous. Tiana set up her ‘Shaggers Salon’ on the beach and cut hair throughout the 4+ day event. After 2014’s event Tiana decided to go one step further and shave her head at the next rendezvous if she raised $25,000. Tiana spent an entire year fundraising for the big shave, including raffles, auctions and donations from friends and family, as well as those haircuts on the beach again. Tiana hit her goal just two weeks after the Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Clubs annual rendezvous.
Photo: David Parkin
SA/NT In the Northern territory Katie Wolf’s ‘Run With Dad’ attracted a terrific crowd on Father’s Day, September last year. Several weeks later the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride co-ordinated by Daniel Leather saw almost 70 motorbike enthusiasts out on a 45 km ride Sunday morning raising money and awareness. Katie, Daniel and their immediate teams then joined Support Group leaders Peter Kay and Don Lockley for afternoon tea with The Administrator the Honourable John Hardy OAM and his wife, Mrs Hardy. 12 12
FUNDRAISING
Big Aussie Barbie The Big Aussie Barbie season kicked off across the country in August 2015 in the lead up to International Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Spearheaded by campaign ambassador cricket legend Matthew Hayden AM, PCFA once again called on the Australian community to get behind the campaign and to turn their everyday barbecues into a Big Aussie Barbie in support of PCFA. It’s about getting together with family, friends and colleagues to not only raise funds but to also encourage discussions about prostate cancer, especially with men over the age of 50 years. We are pleased to announce that we have reached our target of $1million for the 2015 campaign. This has been an amazing effort by everyone involved and a big “Thank You” goes to all our Big Aussie Barbie hosts and supporters, sponsors and volunteers! We can’t thank you enough.
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PCFA hosted six major Big Aussie Barbie events across the country which were attended by thousands of Australians.
Just a snapshot: • 21 August 2015; Central Market Adelaide, MC’d by PCFA’s SA State Manager Karyn Foster, Adelaide’s Big Aussie Barbie was attended by over 500 guests. • 2 September 2015, King George Square Brisbane. With Big Aussie Barbie ambassador, cricket legend Matthew Hayden AM and a stunning backdrop – DGL Australia’s Big Aussie Barbie Truck. • 3 September 2015, Treasury Gardens Melbourne. MC’d by TV and radio presenter John Deeks. Great to have AFL legend David Parkin and Jim Beam’s Master Distiller Fred Noe attending the event.
• 4 September 2015, Central Park Perth. With celebrity guests Glen Jakovich and Kim Ledger and MC Mix94.5’s Dean “Clairsy” Clairs as well as Perth’s very own tong tossing competition. • 10 September 2015, Wynyard Park Sydney. MC’d by Roy McCullagh, lots of Sydneysiders joined our lunchtime BBQ including a live performance by former X-Factor contender Barry Conrad. • 16 September 2015, Parliament House Canberra. With Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull MP, Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten MP and Parliamentary Friends of Prostate Cancer Awareness Group co-chairs Jason Clare MP and Karen McNamara MP. The event was attended by over 100 Members of Parliament.
FUNDRAISING
Thank you to our Big Aussie Barbie Sponsors MAJOR SPONSOR
Commonwealth Bank
Commonwealth Bank has been the Major Sponsor of the Big Aussie Barbie campaign since 2009. Each year, CBA branches get behind the Big Aussie Barbie by holding dedicated BBQs and other prostate cancer awareness activities throughout September to raise vital funds for PCFA’s research and awareness programs. CBA staff also volunteered at PCFA’s Big Aussie Barbie events across Australia. In addition, CBA Sydney inaugurated their very own MasterChef Challenge in 2015 which is a combined fundraising and cook-off competition. Six business units competed and despite the fierce competition, the ultimate title of CBA MasterChef winner 2015 went to the Business and Private Banking team. The challenge raised significant funds for PCFA and promises to become an annual event in the CBA Big Aussie Barbie calendar.
Jim Beam
Harley-Davidson
Pental
Jim Beam, new sponsors on board this year, have supported the campaign through their Give Back with Jim Beam Black initiative. $1 of each co-branded product was donated towards the Big Aussie Barbie campaign.
Harley-Davidson have continued their support of the Big Aussie Barbie through sponsorship as well as Harley-Davidson Big Aussie Barbies which were held at dealerships around the country in November.
Co-branded Little Lucifer firelighter 24packs were sold at Woolworths, IGA and independent retailers with dollar portions from each pack donated to the campaign.
IGA QLD
DGL Australia
Barbeques Galore
IGA QLD raised significant funds through a one week in-store Father’s Day/Big Aussie Barbie initiative as part of their Community Chest program.
DGL Australia’s Managing Director and Founder John West has thrown his support behind the Big Aussie Barbie campaign after his own experience with prostate cancer. The first of three specially branded trucks was launched in Brisbane which will be followed by trucks in Sydney and Melbourne. Look out for our upcoming Big Aussie Barbie Truck Facebook competition.
Barbeques Galore has provided three Barbeques Galore Ziegler and Brown Triple Grill Packs for PCFA’s Big Aussie Barbie competition as well as vouchers for our Big Aussie Barbie Truck Facebook competition. The lucky winners, Sarah Wallace, Antigony Stege and Sarah Wenzel were announced on 21 December 2015 on our Facebook page.
It doesn’t need to be September to host a Big Aussie Barbie. Why not host one this Australia Day?! Simply go to the website, sign up and get your mates together. To sign up and more information, please visit www.bigaussiebarbie.com.au 14
AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST FISHING COMPETITION!
Proudly Supporting Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and Peter Duncan Neuroscience Research Unit of St Vincent’s Hospital.
SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 RIGHT ACROSS AUSTRALIA
salt & fresh water target species
HUGE cash & prizes! JUST $25 to enter
Registration opening January 2016!
pirtekFIshingchallenge.com.au