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PROSTATENEWS REDUCING THE IMPACT OF PROSTATE CANCER
A PROUD PAST. A PROGRESSIVE FUTURE.
ISSUE 63 / MARCH 2016
PCFA’s 20th Anniversary Special Edition
CONTENTS, CEO MESSAGE & NATIONAL BOARD
Contents Research .............................. 03 Awareness ............................ 05 Opinion ................................. 07 Support and Community Outreach ............. 09 Around the Country .............. 12 Fundraising ................................ 13
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Message from the CEO On 1 March we announced a ground-breaking partnership with ANZUP Cancer Trials Group Limited (ANZUP), the leading collaborative trials group for urogenital and prostate cancer. ANZUP and PCFA have signed a formal agreement to improve access to clinical trials in prostate cancer and have pledged to work together to raise $1.5 million over the next three years to fund trials. Clinical trials are the gold standard for developing new cancer treatments and showing which treatments are the safest and most effective. Trials independent of drug companies are particularly valuable, as they focus only on patient benefit with no commercial stake. We have worked closely with ANZUP for many years and this formal partnership is the logical next step for clinical trials in prostate cancer. It opens up a range of exciting new opportunities in clinical research.
Under the partnership PCFA will continue to be a Platinum Sponsor of the ANZUP Annual Scientific Meeting and PCFA’s annual Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing Service conference will be held in conjunction with the ASM. Once again, in conjunction with this year’s ASM, ANZUP will be hosting a Community Engagement Forum entitled “A little below the belt”. The forum is from 1pm to 4pm on Sunday 10 July at the Brisbane Hilton Hotel and will provide the public with information on ANZUP and the importance of clinical trials in improving treatment for people diagnosed with prostate, bladder, kidney or testicular cancer. Entry is free, however booking is essential as seating is limited. For more information, or to book your place, visit www.anzup.org.au.
Associate Professor Anthony Lowe, Chief Executive Officer, PCFA
National Board 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 AM (Chairman)
Research Advisory Emeritus Professor Bruce Armstrong AM (Chairman)
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Bill Munro (WA) Distinguished Professor Judith Clements AC (QLD) Michael Brock (SA/NT)
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Message from the Chairman Welcome to this special edition of Prostate News marking the 20th anniversary of the formation of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. In the early 1990s, following the introduction of the PSA blood test, increasing numbers of men began to be diagnosed with and treated for prostate cancer. Unfortunately, at that time the health system wasn’t geared up to manage the possible consequences of treatment, in particular depression, urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction. Men and their families were largely left to manage on their own. Things have since changed enormously, but still more work needs to be done. Some of these men and women, having dealt with their own situation, decided to help others by forming local support and advocacy groups in various pockets of Australia. Thus, PCFA began as,
and remains to this day, a grass roots community organisation with Support and Advocacy at the heart of everything we do alongside our other key pillars of Research and Awareness.
including groups for partners and carers, gay and bisexual men, men with advanced prostate cancer, men from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, younger men and sport and fitness groups.
The story of how these individual local Support Groups, founded on the simple principle of ‘mates helping mates’, came together to form first a state-based, and then a national movement and the peak national body for prostate cancer in Australia, is told on pages 7 and 8 by our CEO, Dr Anthony Lowe.
None of this would have been possible without the dedication and commitment of the pioneering men and women of the prostate cancer movement who established Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia twenty years ago.
Thankfully, the situation facing a man diagnosed with prostate cancer and his family is very different today than it was 20 years’ ago. Research has brought advances in treatments; extensive information and resources are available in English and five other languages; advocacy campaigns have led to many new treatments being available at an affordable price through PBS; there are 27 prostate cancer specialist nurses around the country; and we have approximately 170 affiliated prostate cancer support groups,
As our journey continues unabated, it is timely to reflect on the wonderful achievements of these altruistic men and women.
With Best Wishes, Jim Hughes AM
QantasLink It’s a Bloke Thing Prostate Cancer Luncheon raffle tickets The QantasLink It’s a Bloke Thing Prostate Cancer Luncheon commenced in 2011 with the goal to raise crucial funds for research, and open up a conversation between men to talk about their health issues. Raising money for prostate cancer research, the luncheon has in 5 short years grown to be the largest day time fundraising event in Queensland.
Tuesday 9 August 2016. During this lunch there are three amazing prizes to be won, including a brand new Audi A1 Sportback 1.0 TFSi valued at over $33,397.
The 2016 QantasLink It’s a Bloke Thing Prostate Cancer Luncheon will be held at Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport on
Get your tickets and who knows, your transport back home, might just be an Audi Audi A1 Sportback 1.0 TFSi
You don’t need to be at the luncheon to win. To go into the draw, all you have to do is buy your raffle tickets online at www.itsablokething.com.au/raffle
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RESEARCH
Support for two important clinical trials In February we announced funding towards two new clinical trials to address significant research questions that will potentially revolutionise the way prostate cancers are monitored and treated. Funded by The Movember Foundation, these clinical trials involve the testing of a new scanning technique and the role of Vitamin D in preventing progression of prostate cancer.
PROF HOWARD GURNEY Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW The clinical trial team headed by Professor Howard Gurney from Macquarie University, will undertake a phase II randomised controlled trial of high dose Vitamin D on men with prostate cancer. Project title: A phase II randomised controlled trial of high-dose Vitamin D in localised prostate cancer cases with intermediate risk of progression (ProsD) Aims of project: There is evidence to suggest that vitamin D may prevent prostate cancer progression. This proposal is a phase II randomised controlled trial of monthly oral highdose vitamin D supplementation. The subjects are men diagnosed with localised prostate cancer who have intermediate risk of progression, and are on active surveillance. This trial will firstly establish the safety and efficacy of high-dose vitamin D supplementation in prostate cancer cases. The aim is to examine if vitamin D supplementation will prevent prostate cancer progression in these men while on active surveillance. It also aims to determine if supplementation raises serum vitamin D (25OHD) levels optimally to levels above 75nmol/L, and if it improves genome integrity. Information regarding the utility of multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging, in conjunction with biopsy, to improve the classification of disease grade, will also be derived from this trial. Potential impact: If vitamin D supplementation does prevent prostate cancer progression, this will be the basis for a phase III trial. This intervention has potential to reduce anxiety in men with low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer. It will allow these men to take control in managing their cancer during clinical monitoring, and improve perseverance of active surveillance, which will consequently reduce the uptake of unnecessary active treatment.
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PROF MICHAEL HOFMAN Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria Prof Hofman at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, will study the impact of prostate specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT) imaging in the management of prostate cancer. This new type of scan provides whole body images of prostate cancer spread. Project title: A prospective multicentre study of the impact of Ga-68 PSMAPET/CT imaging in the management of prostate cancer (proPSMA study). Aims of project: If prostate cancer is detected early, when the disease has not spread, there is a high chance of cure. More accurate scanning may improve outcomes by redirecting patients with disease spread from futile local treatments to more appropriate management. This clinical trial will investigate a new type of scan which provides whole body images of prostate cancer spread. Early experience suggests that this new technology, PSMA PET/CT, is superior to current scanning techniques. PSMA PET/CT has capacity for wide availability at relatively low cost. Performing a single better test rather than several less accurate scans will also be cheaper, improve patient experience and expose patients to lower amounts of radiation. A randomised study at multiple centres around Australia comparing PSMA-PET/ CT to conventional imaging will be performed. Potential impact: If it can be shown that PSMA-PET/CT has superior diagnostic performance, it should be used as a first-line test for staging prior to surgery or radiotherapy and will result in significant changes to patient management.
PCFA and the Movember Foundation continue to work collaboratively to support translational research. More than $53 million has been invested nationally into prostate cancer research since 2004.
RESEARCH
New Chair for PCFA’s Research Advisory Committee We are pleased to announce the appointment of Emeritus Professor Bruce Armstrong AM, as the new Chair of the Research Advisory Committee. Bruce is internationally recognised for his research into the causes and prevention of cancer, having published over 600 papers in scientific books and journals. His research has included work into trends in PSA testing in Australia and their effects on prostate cancer incidence and mortality, and the effects of diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer on men’s quality of life. He contributed extensively to the new Australian guidelines for PSA testing and early management of PSA-detected
prostate cancer that we developed with Cancer Council Australia. Bruce is now retired from full-time employment but continues to contribute actively to research, research translation and aspects of health care as an Emeritus Professor at the University of Sydney and an Adjunct Professor at the University of WA. He has previously occupied the roles of Commissioner of Health for WA, Deputy Director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Director of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Director of Research and Registers at Cancer Council NSW and Head of the University of Sydney; School of Public Health. Bruce was made a Member of
the Order of Australia and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 2000. He was the inaugural recipient of the NSW Premier’s Outstanding Cancer Researcher of the Year Award in 2006. In 2015 he was listed by Thomson Reuters as among The World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds.
Photo: Emeritus Professor Bruce Armstrong AM
Research Funding Round 2016 With the support of our community, The Movember Foundation, It’s a Bloke’s Thing and Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride PCFA will continue to fund research into prostate cancer nationally in 2016. In collaboration with Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate (ANZUP) Cancer Trials Group, we call for applications within the Clinical Trial category. We also call for applications within the Clinician Scientist Award, Young Investigator Award and Concept grant categories. The Clinician Scientist Award aims to support outstanding, clinically qualified professionals who have gained a PhD in health research, to combine their clinical career with a research career and establish themselves as independent researchers in the field of prostate cancer. We aim to provide up to $450K over a period of 3 years to the top clinician scientists in the country.
The Young Investigator Award provides catalytic funding for early, post-doctoral researchers to help further their research and attract ongoing funding. This award will provide up to 100K over a period of 12 months to any successful applicant. The ultimate goal of the Concept Grants is to support first-in-field, high risk approaches that have the potential to generate new research directions in prostate cancer. This award will provide up to 100K over a period of 12 months to any successful applicant. The new funding round opens on 29 March 2016. Please take a look on our website www.prostate.org.au/research/ for-researchers/apply-for-funding/
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AWARENESS
New Director of Nursing We’re very pleased to announce the appointment of Ann Marie Alexander as PCFA’s new Director of Nursing. She brings extensive experience and enthusiasm to achieve new directions for the nursing program at PCFA. Ann Marie completed her General Nursing training at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney. She also holds an Associate Degree in Business: Diploma of Management and a Certificate in work place Training and Assessment. She is a graduate of the NSW Department of Health Clinical Excellence Commission’s Leadership program and an associate Fellow Australasian College of Health Service Management.
As a Registered Nurse, with both Clinical and Management experience across the public and private sectors with acute, non-acute and the Community Health and Primary Care sector experience, she has gained extensive knowledge within the Australian Health System. After training, Ann Marie worked in a variety of roles as a Senior Clinician and Manager in acute hospital sectors and community health. Within these sectors she has completed projects and has held roles as Project manager, Clinical Lead in Chronic Aged & Complex Care, University Facilitator, Manager and Deputy Director of Nursing.
Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses Continuing our series of articles introducing PCFA’s Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses based in 27 metropolitan and regional sites around Australia. This issue highlights Lindy Ostini and Christine Britton. Christine’s position is funded in partnership with Murrumbidgee Local Health District.
Lindy Ostini works at the Orange Health Service, where she provides support and education to patients with prostate cancer, their families and carers that access the service from the Central NSW area. Lindy was trained at St Vincents in Toowoomba from 1988 till 1991 and then returned to Orange to work for the Orange Health Service ever since. She’s worked in both men and women’s surgical wards and for the last 15 years in oncology, where the outpatient unit administered chemotherapy to both medical and haematological patients. Lindy completed her Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing 2008 and is currently undertaking the Prostate Nursing Care Course.
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She undertook this position to provide ongoing support and care to men undergoing treatment, recovering from or living with prostate cancer and their family and friends. She also hopes to highlight the prevalence of prostate cancer in her area and work towards increasing awareness and prevention.
Christine Britton works at the Wagga Wagga Community Health Service, where she works closely with urologists, staff at the Riverina Cancer Care Centre and other cancer centres, GPs and provides an outreach service at the Griffith and Young Oncology units. Christine has worked as a Registered Nurse for 10 years and has strong history in care coordination, having most recently worked as an Integrated Care Coordinator for the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network. She has a background in urology and is familiar with many of the issues associated with the surgical management of prostate cancer. During her time as a urology practice nurse, Christine recognised the need for a prostate cancer specialist nurse to help men and their carers negotiate the health and community systems to obtain the help and information they needed. That’s why she’s very excited to take up this position and looks forward to providing support to men with prostate cancer and their carers throughout the Murrumbridge Local Health District.
QantasLink “It’s A Bloke Thing” Prostate Cancer Fundraiser W E N D N I A
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Support Prostate Cancer Research and Men’s Health for just $20.00 and go into the Draw to WIN one of THREE great Prizes including a Audi A1 Sportsback 1.0 TFSI manual valued at $33,397.
SPONSORS Centre Toowoomba
Go to our website to purchase your tickets www.itsablokething.com.au It’s a Bloke Thing (QLD) Ltd Licence No. 168 315 It’s a Bloke Thing (QLD) Ltd as trustee for the It’s a Bloke Thing Foundation
ur to o rs s k n ne Tha t part n i r p
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Terms & Conditions. First Prize: 2016 Audi A1 Sportback 1.0 TFSI manual, Cortina White with Style Pack recommended retail value $33,397. Limited kilometre have been used on this vehicle for raffle promotion. Second Prize: IOR Petroleum $2,000 Fuel voucher. Third Prize: Wyndham Hotel Group $1,000 - 3 Night Holiday, can be used at any of their locations throughout Australia and the Pacific Islands. Raffle will be drawn on 9th August 2016 at Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport, during the “It’s A Bloke Thing” Luncheon, Entries close 9th August 2016 and must be entered in the barrel at the event. Winner will be contacted by Telephone first then by post, winner will also be published in the Toowoomba Chronicle News Paper on Tuesday the 23 August 2016. Ticket cost $20.
OPINION
MATES HELPING MATES
PCFA’s 20th Anniversary Equally importantly, some 200,000 Australian men and their families are living with the disease, and in far too many cases living with a psychosocial and quality of life burden that includes heightened psychological distress; an increase risk of suicide; and long term quality of life concerns, especially in the area of sexual well-being. Associate Professor Anthony Lowe Chief Executive Officer, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
14 March 2016 marked the 20th anniversary of the formation of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. This anniversary is hardly a cause for celebration as after 20 years of hard work 20,000 Australian men are diagnosed with, and 3,300 die of, prostate cancer annually.
Notwithstanding this, much has been achieved over the past twenty years. Back in 1996 there were no prostate cancer specific cancer control or support agencies and information and advice for prostate cancer survivors and their partners about treatment side effects and management strategies was largely nonexistent. In response ordinary men and women affected by the disease formed a grass roots health activist movement, founded on the simple principle of ‘mates helping mates’, to address these issues. Australian support groups began to emerge in 1993, first in NSW with the formation of Prostates Anonymous, a self-help group. In the following years further groups emerged independently of each other throughout the country. Many of these groups were initiated independently of health services while others had informal partnerships with local health professionals who supported meetings with venues and occasional guest speakers. During these formative years some groups worked to raise public awareness about prostate cancer and initiated informal connections with other support groups or health agencies. Independent advocates within these groups were important in driving towards a national collective. For example, in NSW the leader of Prostates Anonymous, Peter Schade, partnered with Us Too International to form Us Too Australia, that later merged as a division of the Continence Foundation of Australia in 1995, and in 1996 changed form again to become Prostalk, becoming now independent of these earlier affiliations. However, Prostalk was highly defined by its leader and so ended in 1998 when Peter died.
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In this same period two organisations emerged in NSW which played a pivotal role in the national movement. In 1994 the television personality, Roger Climpson OAM, a member of the Rotary Club of Lane Cove, was successfully treated for prostate cancer. Roger was concerned by the confusing information available to him and by the apparent lack of research into the disease being carried out in Australia. In 1996 he persuaded fellow club members to join him in forming Prostate Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) to raise funds for research. Then in 1998 a committee of support group representatives from the greater Sydney and Newcastle area formed the Association of Prostate Cancer Support Groups (APCSG) that had a state focus but hoped to connect support groups nationally. APCSG led by Max Gardner AM moved to affiliate with PCRF. As this occurred another NSW based fundraising group, the Australian Prostate Cancer Foundation (APCF) also emerged. In 1999 PCRF, APCF and APSCG merged under PCRF’s corporate structure and the new name Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia was chosen to reflect the organisation’s widened agenda. Within this the APSCG maintained its own identity and autonomy. It was not until 2001 that the relationship between the national support group movement and PCFA was clearly and formally established. At this point there were 40 support groups across the country. The key pivotal moment was an Inaugural Conference of Affiliated Prostate Cancer Support Groups (organised by PCFA) that provided the first national forum for support group representatives across Australia to connect and devise strategies to address priority issues for prostate cancer survivors and advance the broader movement. At this conference the support groups declared PCFA as the peak national body for prostate cancer and the Association of Prostate Cancer Support Groups became the Support and Advocacy Committee (now known as the National Support Groups Committee) within PCFA’s governance structure.
OPINION
Max Gardner, who was a key figure in the movement, died in 2004. Over the next decade more support groups formed under the umbrella of PCFA and today there are approximately 170 prostate cancer support groups affiliated with PCFA, including groups for partners and carers; gay and bisexual men; men with advanced prostate cancer; men from culturally and linguistically diverse communities; younger men and sport and fitness groups. To this day PCFA remains a broad based community organisation and the peak national body for prostate cancer in Australia. We are dedicated to reducing the impact of prostate cancer on Australian men, their partners and families, recognising the diversity of the Australian community.
The timeline for the prostate cancer support group movement up to formal national affiliation with PCFA (1993-2001).
STATE SUPPORT GROUP MOVEMENT
NATIONAL SUPPORT GROUP MOVEMENT
September 23, Prostates Anonymous formed (NSW)
1993
QLD, TAS & WA support groups form independently
1994
Prostates Anonymous partnered with Us Too International to form Us Too Australia
SA, NSW, VIC & additional QLD support groups form
1995
Us Too Australia became a division of the Continence Foundation of Australia
Additional NSW support groups emerge & connect informally
1996
US Too Australia ceases and a new independent organisation, Prostalk is formed.
The Prostate Cancer Research Foundation forms (NSW) The Australian Prostate Cancer Foundation is established (NSW) Additional QLD, NSW & VIC support groups form. Activism-focused group formed (SA) & developed a model to raise PCa awareness
1997
We do this by:
NT & additional SA, QLD, NSW & TAS support groups form
1998
• Promoting and funding world leading, innovative research into prostate cancer
June 10, NSW support group network met & in July formed a committee to connect support groups
Prostalk led a petition of 250 000 signatories for Parliament to increase funding for PCa research & education & make PCa a national priority
• Implementing awareness and advocacy campaigns and education programs for the Australian Community, health professionals and Government • Supporting men and their families affected by prostate cancer through evidence-based information and resources, support groups and Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses.
June 4, Prostalk ceases
ACT & additional SA, & NSW support groups form
1999
Additional NSW & VIC support groups form
2000
PCFA relies on the generosity of individuals, the community and partnerships to carry out our essential work. Whilst there is still much to be accomplished, on the occasion of PCFA’s 20th anniversary, we celebrate the achievements of the pioneers of the prostate cancer movement.
Prostalk now has 39 member groups
November, the Association of Prostate Cancer Support Groups forms with a national goal to connect support groups & affiliates with the Australian Prostate Cancer Foundation August, Australian Prostate Cancer Foundation merges with Prostate Cancer Research Foundation to form the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) Association of Prostate Cancer Support Groups continues to operate as part of the PCFA
2001 June 29 to July 1, Inaugural Conference of Affiliated Prostate Cancer Support Groups held (NSW) PCFA declared as peak national body Association of Prostate Cancer Support Groups became the National Support & Advocacy Committee
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SUPPORT & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Introducing the Support & Community Outreach team With some changes and new faces, we wanted to take this opportunity to introduce to PCFA’s Support and Community Outreach team. The team oversee a number of programs and activities covering support and awareness across Australia. If you have a specific question for the team or would like to know more about their work, please get in touch by calling the Network Helpline 1800 00 22 98 or email supportnetwork@pcfa.org.au
AMANDA POMERY
DANIEL MOORE
National Manager, Support
Network Support
& Community Outreach
As part of PCFA’s Executive, Amanda oversees the strategic direction of the Support and Community Outreach team across all operations and national activities relating to Support and Awareness. Working closely with Ian Wagner, National Board Member and NSGC Chairman, to bring together perspectives of the various Network representative committees and maintain PCFA’s grassroots community-based approach. Amanda also provides assistance to support groups and chapter councils in VIC & TAS.
Daniel is your first port of call for all general Support Group and Ambassador enquires, including expenses, maintaining group details and ordering resources. He is manning our new Network Helpline and can help put you in touch with the team.
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SUPPORT & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
EMILIA HAY
EVAN KALLIPOLITIS
Community Engagement
Community Engagement
Emilia provides expert assistance across WA, SA & NT to support groups and chapter councils, along with involvement in community outreach activities. She also has a focus on supporting the delivery of our Ambassador program.
Evan provides expert assistance across NSW, QLD & ACT to support groups and chapter councils, along with involvement in community engagement activities. Evan also has a focus on working with support groups involved in regional community events and engagement with gay/bi community.
KATIE DUNDAS Community Awareness
KATHLEEN FAGAN
& Education
Community Programs
Katie manages PCFA’s Ambassador Program, along with our education and awareness events. She also has a focus on supporting our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander information program.
& Administration
Kathleen is coordinating the development of PCFA’s online forum Network Online, which will be opened up to the broader community later this year. She also provides administrative assistance to the team and will be working on our Community Conversations events.
Ambassadors talks during Men’s Health Week PCFA Ambassadors are gearing up for another busy period of increasing awareness and education of prostate cancer across Australia as part of Men’s Health Week in June.
are from diverse backgrounds, including partners, carers, younger men, members of the gay/bi community, and are located in metropolitan, regional, and remote areas across all states and territories.
International Men’s Health Week (13-19 June 2016) is a time to raise the profile of men’s health and wellbeing issues nationwide. This week is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of prostate cancer amongst your workplace colleagues, mates, or club members by inviting a PCFA Ambassador to give a presentation on prostate cancer awareness and the importance of early detection. Ambassadors are trained community speakers, and many also have first-hand experience of prostate cancer, and include part of their personal story within their presentation. Speakers
Ambassador speakers are a free community resource. For more information about hosting a speaker for Men’s Health Week, or another time during the year, please contact 1800 22 00 99 or ambassadors@pcfa.org.au
Network Helpline
1800 00 22 98 There is now a dedicated Network Helpline for all Support Group Leaders and Ambassadors. The Network Helpline number is 1800 00 22 98 (local call) and will be manned by 9.00am – 5.00pm on weekdays (AEST) for all of your PFCA Support Group and Ambassador related enquiries.
For more information on Men’s Health Week, please visit www.menshealthweek.org.au.
Men’s Health Week 10
SUPPORT & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Norfolk Island By the Hon Jim Lloyd former MP and Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads I had the honour of conducting a prostate cancer awareness and education program for the residents of Norfolk Island on Tuesday 8 March 2016, a first for PCFA. Norfolk Island is an Australian external territory some 1000km off the east coast of the Australian mainland and is home to some 1,500 permanent residents, some of whom are direct decedents from the Mutiny on the Bounty. These decedents first lived on Pitcain Island and relocated to Norfolk Island in 1856. The average age of residents on the island is 56 years and access to medical services has always been limited. Whilst they do have a small hospital on the island, staffed by wonderful hardworking and dedicated doctors and nurses, most surgeries and specialist treatments are not regularly available on the island. During my conversations with some of the local doctors and nursing staff,
they highlighted many of the challenges of medical care in such a remote community. To get a simple PSA blood test result, for instance, can take around 10 days. Anyone who requires further tests, biopsy, radiation or surgery needs to travel to the Australian mainland. This is of course is very expensive and difficult to arrange and is why some men may delay seeking treatment. The PCFA presentation received wide publicity with local radio and newspaper running feature articles about the event. I was able to go on local radio for a live interview which was replayed the following day. Over 90 residents attended the presentation at the Castaway Hotel. I must thank the services clubs of Norfolk Island who all came together to support this event. These included the Lions Club of Norfolk Island, Lions Club of Arthur’s Vale, Rotary Club of Norfolk Island, the Chamber of Commerce and Norfolk Island RSL. I was honoured that the Australian Government Administrator, Hon Gary Hardgrave and his wife Lorraine also attended the evening.
The presentation was conducted for around 40 minutes and was followed by many interesting questions from the audience. It was great to see a number of ladies in the audience. The information provided during the presentation about awareness, detection and treatment of prostate cancer was well received by all who attended. I was able to ensure that everyone was also aware of the great work done by PCFA support groups, PCFA Ambassadors and via the PCFA website. It is vital to ensure that everyone is aware of the online and phone support services available to men and their families dealing with these issues whilst living in a remote community. One of the great outcomes from the meeting is that the service clubs are going to examine the possibility of conducting a local men’s health week on Norfolk Island in conjunction with the local hospital. If this does go ahead it will be a great initiative for the local people. At the conclusion of the presentation most people joined with myself and my wife Kerry for a very enjoyable evening meal and further discussions about men’s health issues.
Photo: Hon Jim Lloyd with Hon Gary Hardgrave, Administrator of Norfolk Island and David Bell, president of Norfolk Island Lions Club
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AROUND THE COUNTRY
WA In partnership with the Western Australian Football Commission (WAFC), the Know Your Score Men’s Health Round is being held on 25 June 2016. All Western Australian Football League (WAFL) games are being dedicated to Know Your Score, raising awareness of men’s health issues and particularly prostate cancer. The campaign launches during Men’s Health Week (June 13-19) with the message: men be proactive about your health and know your general “score”. Talk to your doctor about determining your individual risk of developing prostate cancer as well as heart disease, lung cancer and stroke. The Channel 7 televised game will be played at Perth Football Club, Lathlain Park. Support your local club on 25 June 2016 and Know Your Score at www.knowyourscore.org.au
Photo: Umpires
NSW/ACT
VIC
From 6 April to 16 April 2016 over 425 motorbike riders will be taking part in the 9th year of The Long Ride. Riders will come from all areas of Australia during this 10 day ride and join together to raise awareness in rural communities across Australia for prostate cancer. The Long Ride is the largest event of this kind in the southern hemisphere. Riding through the Australian outback the event brings people together to talk about men’s health and raising money for prostate cancer.
Our Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch calendar for 2016 has kicked off again with the next event to be held in Morwell (check the PCFA website for details). In May iSelect will again hold their annual golf day, which promises to be a great day as usual.
Photo: The 2015 Bulls Masters
QLD
The Bulls Masters is proud to be holding a golf series across Queensland to raise funds for us. The Bulls Masters is an organisation of former Queensland and Australian cricketers, developing the game of cricket and supporting communities through fundraising.
We had our longstanding supporters Murray Meander and Pedal 4 Prostate complete their annual events, which not only raised important funds for PCFA, but created wonderful awareness opportunities throughout rural & regional Australia. Our thanks to everyone who takes the time to support these initiatives.
The Bulls Masters has embarked on a 5-day golf series holding events in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville, Cairns and Sunshine Coast from February to June. Each day will feature former Australian and Queensland cricketing greats including Ian Healy, Andrew Symonds and Jimmy Maher with some special guests along the way, including Wayne Grady and Wendell Sailor. Photo: Peter and Arnold in blue
SA
The Mount Gambier Gold Cup Racing Carnival are hosting two fundraising events for us. Convenor John Fartch and an extensive crew of volunteers, sponsors and donors will enjoy festive cocktail party one day and a lunch the next day, both hosted by ABC Radio’s Grandstand commentator Peter Walsh.
For bookings visit www.bullsmasters.com.au
The Whisky Live roadshow is coming to Adelaide again. Come and enjoy all the whiskies for sampling at the whisky stands, an assortment of food to graze on during the event, Whisky Catalogue and quality Whisky Glass to keep on Saturday 14 May 2016. A big shout out to Jason Dansie’s The Good Guys at Hectorville who continues its good deeds with events and donations.
Photo: Linton Blackwell, John Strachan, Judith Mayes and Jim Hughes.
Photo: Karyn Foster and Jason Dansie
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FUNDRAISING
Celebrating diversity 2016 is the fifth year PCFA has had a presence at Fair Day and to celebrate that, we hosted a Big Gay Aussie Barbie, together with the Shine a Light support group.
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Sharing our site with the Cancer Council NSW, we had a big Winnebago covered with a banner for people to take photos of with our drag queens Charisma Belle and Carmen Geddit and our ambassador for the campaign Matthew Mitcham; the Australian diver. The photos could be used for our Facebook and Instagram competition, which was a great success. Fair Day provides a platform to network with workers from other agencies and community organisations and provide information on the support group and to
promote the specific gay/bi information we have produced. With over 100,000 people attending it was again a great opportunity to promote PCFA and raise awareness of prostate cancer in the gay, bi, transsexual and intersex communities. We received many positive comments from the passing crowd and the visitors to the stall. Lots of people we talked to said it was “great to see you are doing this work� and they shared their stories with of friends, brothers and fathers who experience or had experienced prostate cancer.
FUNDRAISING
Climb a mountain to save a life We’re seeking adventurous Australians (over the age of 18 and a medical clearance to participate) to embark on a once in a lifetime adventure in November 2016: the Save A Man Kilimanjaro Challenge 2016.
On this 12-day adventure, you will be pushed to your limit as you climb through five different climatic zones with the support of experienced guides. Trekking from cultivated farmlands to lush rainforests, through alpine meadow and across the barren lunar-like landscape to the summit, you’ll witness the incredible sight of the sun rising over the East African plains below. You will then begin the return journey to Australia feeling proud of your achievements, knowing you’ve supported over 200,000 men and their families living with prostate cancer as you’ve raised funds and awareness of prostate cancer: Prostate cancer survivor Keith Daddo participated in the inaugural trek last year in celebration of three years post his cancer diagnosis. “The Save A Man Kilimanjaro Challenge is an amazing experience for anyone who enjoys adventure, travel or hiking, but it’s also for people who think outside themselves and know life doesn’t end at their front door. People in their 60s got up to the peak last year. Your teammates help you along, and
I trained for nine months to get prepared to climb to the top. If you start training early anyone can do it. It’s a great test of yourself, both physically and mentally, as well as raising funds for such a vital cause” said Keith. Keith was 42 years old when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, after being tested regularly as his father was also diagnosed with the disease. “I tell people I was young and healthy, if I can get prostate cancer anyone can,” he says. “Doing the trek last year was my way of spreading the message. I’m happy to say in my life I’ve encouraged many people to get tested”. Funds raised will go to PCFA’s ambassador speaker program and community education promoting the new national guidelines on PSA testing.
For more information or to register: https://inspiredadventures.com.au/ events/pcfa-kilimanjaro-2016/
Join the Save A Man Kilimanjaro Challenge 2016 at
inspiredadventures.com.au/events/pcfa-kilimanjaro-2016/
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“PUTTING SOME POWER INTO THE FIGHT AGAINST PROSTATE CANCER.”
PROUD TO BE A MAJOR PARTNER 2016.