Prostate News Issue 39

39

ISSUE

Prostate News

September 2009

Better health at hand?

Some interesting research projects explore how existing knowledge can translate into helpful new treatments for prostate cancer sufferers.

PCFA supports more direct prostate cancer research than any other organisation in Australia. Last November we announced funding for more that $4 million worth of research projects into reducing the impact of prostate cancer on men and their families around the country.

This support is only possible thanks to the extraordinary generosity of donors – especially everyone who has participated in Movember. Some of this research involves trailblazing work with gene therapy and immunotherapy or the development of new and potentially exciting drugs.

Other research projects look at some tools we already have at hand to better our odds in the fight against prostate cancer and improve the quality of men’s health.

Three of these projects are detailed here.

Can cholesterol drugs stop the spread of prostate cancer?

Dr Michelle Hill

BSc/BA ’94, BSc Hons ’95, PhD ’00 Queensland

Even when prostate cancers have been removed, there is always a chance the cancer might come back. Recently, it’s been shown that a family of drugs called statins, originally used to reduce cholesterol, can also reduce the chance of prostate cancers returning.

Scientists know that recurrent prostate cancers (cancers that come back) have high levels of a protein called Caveolin-1.

Statins can switch this protein off, or alter what it does. This CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

FROM THE CEO This issue of Prostate News farewells two of PCFA’s most dedicated supporters – our most generous individual benefactor Richard Pratt and our tireless campaigner, and my great friend, Trevor Hunt. Both men lived wonderful, though vastly different lives.

In the end however both lives were cut short due to prostate cancer. I was honoured to know each of these great men – and both will be sadly missed.

This September, barbecues around Australia will fire up to help fund vital Australian research into prostate cancer – the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia.

PCFA has a long history of funding world-class Australian researchers working in the fight against prostate cancer and in recent years we have been able to greatly increase this funding thanks to growing community and corporate support.

September is International Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and as part of our new The Difference Is You! community service campaign, PCFA is encouraging all Australians to host a barbecue for prostate cancer. By hosting a barbecue at your home, work, community or sporting group and asking guests to give a donation, you’ll make a significant impact in the fight against this disease.

We still have a long way to go in the fight against prostate cancer – but PCFA is delighted to be leading the battle through its national research grant program.

A barbecue is also a great opportunity to raise awareness and a clear aim of this new campaign is to remind all men how vital they are to their family and friends and how their passing would impact their loved ones. The good news is that increasingly men are taking responsibility for their health and are starting to talk to their doctor regularly about prostate cancer and other male health issues.

Help us mark International Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and please encourage all your family, friends and work mates to have a barbecue to raise funds for prostate cancer research. For more information see page 6 and visit www.prostate.org.au

National Board Chairman – Graeme Johnson Deputy Chairman – David Sandoe OAM Finance Director – Chris Hall Research Chairman – Professor John Mills Medical Specialists – Associate Professor Phil Stricker, Professor Tony Costello Support and Advocacy Committee Chairman – Peter Gebert Rotary – John Palmer State Chairmen – Tony Sonneveld (NSW), David Curtain, QC (VIC), Jim Freemantle (WA), Jim Hughes (QLD) Independent Directors – Professor Dexter Dunphy AM, Anita Ziemer, Patricia Watson, Jim O’Ryan, Steve Callister

Tony Sonneveld - National Board Member Consumer advocate and Men’s Health Ambassador, PCFA’s new NSW Chairman, Tony Sonneveld, joined the NSW board in 2007.

He has been actively promoting prostate cancer awareness, education and fundraising for support and research since his prostate cancer diagnosis in 2003.

Following his graduation from RMIT as a metallurgist in 1970, he completed his National Service as a Lieutenant in the Australian Army. For 22 years he managed Metlabs, specialising in Non-Destructive Testing of pipelines, power stations, refineries and offshore structures in Australasia. In 1990 he joined Transfield Electrical, managing operations around Australia and Southeast Asia.

Tony has held directorships in many construction-related businesses and since 1995 he has successfully managed a family-owned business, Termimesh Sydney. He has also participated in many voluntary organisations and brings highly developed management and communication skills to his role with PCFA. ‘I now have advanced prostate cancer with a prognosis of three to five years, however, I still have incredible energy.

Given that my father and father-in-law died of prostate cancer, my sons and grandson will have a very high predisposition to contracting this insidious disease,’ he said.

‘Therefore I want to create a greater awareness about prostate cancer in the hope that this will increase donations to PCFA, which in turn will convert to more funding for research into mechanisms to combat, control and ultimately, cure, prostate cancer.

Andrew Giles Chief Executive PCFA

2 PROSTATE PROSTATENEWS NEWS

‘Newly diagnosed prostate cancer sufferers seem comfortable talking with me about their condition and fears and I gain much satisfaction in being able to support them and from being able to dedicate some of my skills and attributes to the PCFA cause.’

CONTINUED FROM COVER

research will study the global changes that occur in a prostate cancer cell when Caveolin-1 function is changed, such as under statin treatment. It’s hoped that the research may lead to new ways of looking for cancers that are likely to return and drugs that will stop or slow cancer recurrence.

Dr Hill is an NHMRC Fellow at the Diamantina Institute for Cancer, Immunology and Metabolic Medicine at the University of Queensland. In recognition of her research excellence, Dr Hill was awarded the prestigious National Associations of Research Fellows of NHMRC Postdoctoral Investigator Award in 2004.

Vitamin D deficiency Professor Markus Seibel

MD ’84 Mainz, PhD ’97 Heidelberg

Like police looking for clues at a crime scene, scientists have noticed that a deficiency in vitamin D, a common feature in older men, often accompanies prostate cancer. And they have also found that when cancer spreads from the prostate to other parts of the body, in nine out of ten cases, it spreads to the bones.

It might be a coincidence, but given the important part vitamin D plays in keeping our immune system up to scratch (which would normally work to stop the growth of cancer in the first place) and maintaining healthy and strong bones, the lack of vitamin D could be a silent accomplice in patients with prostate cancer that has spread to the bone.

The mineral calcium keeps our bones strong. All up we have about a kilogram of calcium locked into our bones. Most of it comes from the food (like milk) we eat, which is absorbed by the intestine and this absorption is facilitated by vitamin D. We know that weakened and brittle bones (osteoporosis) can lead to fractures, but research on animals with breast cancer has also shown that cancer spreads more quickly to the bones when they are fed on a calcium-deficient diet. Now scientists plan to see what role vitamin D deficiency plays in the spread

of prostate cancer. It might be that a correction in vitamin D levels might help to slow down, or even prevent, the spread of prostate cancer.

Professor Seibel holds the Chair of Endocrinology at the University of Sydney and is Director of the Bone Research Program at the University of Sydney’s ANZAC Research Institute. His work on the significance of bone turnover on the growth of breast cancer metastases gained international scientific and media attention.

Complementary and lifestyle therapies Associate Professor Dianne O’Connell

BMaths ’80, PhD ’84 Newcastle

There are many kinds of complementary and lifestyle therapies available for men with prostate cancer. These include mind, body and spirit methods (eg aromatherapy, Tai chi); manual healing and physical touch (eg acupuncture, massage, exercise); herbs (eg saw palmetto); diet and nutrition (eg supplements, vitamins and minerals, special diets) and pharmacological and biological treatment (eg homeopathy, shark cartilage, Laetrile).

Researchers are looking for a better understanding of which complementary and lifestyle therapies men with prostate cancer use so that they can produce better information and education materials for these men and those who care for them, including health professionals.

This two-and-a-half year study will look at the use of these therapies in a group of 500 Australian men with prostate cancer, how they got their information about the therapies and how useful it was. Then they will identify which men with prostate cancer are more likely to use these therapies.

Associate Professor O’Connell has been a Senior Epidemiologist at the Cancer Research Division, Cancer Council NSW since 2001. She is also a Conjoint Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Newcastle.

Reflexology is a complementary therapy that massages points on the feet and hands

PROSTATE NEWS 3

Richard Pratt

Richard Pratt’s grandchildren with the Richard Pratt Cup.

Vale Richard Pratt Richard Pratt, who with his wife Jeanne established The Pratt Foundation in 1978, died of cancer on April 28, 2009. He was 74.

The Pratt success story began in Poland on 12 December 1934. In 1939, as a four-year-old refugee, Richard Pratt arrived in Australia on the eve of World War II. After succeeding his father in 1969 as the head of Visy Board, a small box-making factory in suburban Melbourne, he led the company’s expansion over the next 40 years to more than 120 packaging and waste recycling plants employing 9,000 people across Australia, the USA, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia Apart from business, Richard’s interests ranged across many organisations in Australia, Israel and the USA, both as a generous philanthropist and as an active chairman. The founding Chancellor in 1992 of the Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, he held honorary doctorates from three universities in Australia and two in Israel.

Through The Pratt Foundation, he and the Pratt family were among Australia’s major sources of private philanthropy for four decades. In 1999 he extended The Pratt Foundation’s activities to Israel and in 2000 received the inaugural Israel Prime Minister’s Award for Philanthropy.

benefactor that the late Mr Pratt. While his financial support was extraordinary, he is also to be remembered for his outstanding commitment to raising awareness of the need for men to be aware of prostate cancer and to ensure that it is identified at an early stage when the cancer is both treatable and curable. PCFA has lost a great friend – but his legacy will live on through the world class research that the Pratt Foundation funds through PCFA.’

Richard Pratt Cup On 17 July Carlton and Collingwood Football Clubs joined forces to pay tribute to former Carlton President Richard Pratt by playing for the inaugural Richard Pratt Cup at the MCG. Richard Pratt’s involvement with the Carlton Football Club spanned nearly 60 years as a player, sponsor, director, president and patron. Carlton President, Stephen Kernahan said the Richard Pratt Cup was an important legacy for a great Carlton man who did so much for the community.

Collingwood President Eddie McGuire said that the establishment of the Richard Pratt Cup not only pays tribute to a great man of football and the community, it also presents an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of issues relating to prostate cancer.

In 2008, along with Israel’s President Shimon Peres and then Australian Governor General, Major General Michael Jeffery, Richard opened The Park of the Australian Soldier in Beersheba, Israel which commemorates the historic charge of the Australian Light Horse Brigade which won Beersheba from the Turks in 1917.

PCFA Chairman, Graeme Johnson said the establishment of the Richard Pratt Cup was an important initiative that will boost the community awareness of prostate cancer and he congratulated both clubs on their role.

Andrew Giles, PCFA CEO, said, ‘PCFA has had no greater single

The inaugural Richard Pratt Cup was won by Collingwood.

4 PROSTATE NEWS

National Men’s Health Ambassador Speakers The National Men’s Health Ambassador Speaker Program sponsored by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing is generating a strong profile across the country. Between October 2008 and the end of June 2009, 92 Men’s Health Ambassadors spoke to 11,212 audience members on prostate health and continence health and the program is well on the way to surpass its target of reaching 19,200 people by June 2010.

PCFA formed a community partnership with Mensheds Australia at the National Mensheds Conference in Bathurst, NSW, during International Men’s Health Week in June. This partnership will take important messages on prostate health and continence health to Australian men through Mensheds who will be able to invite Men’s Health Ambassadors to speak to communities, particularly in rural and remote Australia, and including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

National Rural Health Conference Cairns May 2009. Left to right: John Whop, Waibe Menshed, Torres Strait Islands; Richard Tamwoy, Menshed Bamaga NPA Queensland; Jo Fairbairn, Community Partnerships and Health Promotion Manager.

Invite a National Men’s Health Ambassador Speaker to present on Prostate Health and Continence Health to your: • • • •

Community Group Organisation Corporation Local Council

• • • •

Sports Club University Industry Men’s Health Event

Our target is to TALK ABOUT Men’s Health with 50,000 people nationally

YOU can help!

Please contact 1800 206 700 ambassador@prostate.org.au www.prostate.org.au

PROSTATENEWS 5

The Differe PCFA – turning Australia blue From 1 September these iconic Australian landmarks will be lit blue to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

September BBQs for As part of PCFA’s The Difference Is You! campaign Australians are being encouraged to host a barbecue for prostate cancer during September.

By hosting a barbecue and asking guests to make a donation, we can all make a significant impact in the fight against this insidious disease.

A barbecue is also an ideal opportunity to raise awareness about prostate cancer.

September

Landmark

1

Sydney Opera House, NSW

1

Bell Tower, Kings Park entrance, WA

1

Skyneedle, Gold Coast Arts Centre, Torres Shire Council Chambers, Toowoomba Shire City Hall, QLD.

2

Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney

7

Adelaide North Terrace and St Francis Xavier Church, SA

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Melbourne Arts Centre Spire, VIC

Throughout September prostate cancer awareness and fundraising events will be held around the country:

September 4 4

Event Blue Ribbon Day, Riverina Cancer Care Centre, Wagga Wagga, NSW Run Man Run - Matt and Stewy Grills run from Bundaberg to Brisbane arriving 13 Sept. The return run is from 15 Sept, QLD

6

Christian Motorcyclists fundraising ride, Wodonga, NSW

9

Day of Inspiration – Tour de Cure, Sydney, NSW

10

Bayview Golf Club Charity Golf Club Day, Mona Vale, NSW

12

Strathfield Golf Club 'Battle of the Sexes – Tee off for Cancer', Strathfield, NSW

18

Blue Laces for September – $6 a pair at IGA stores, WA.

19

Inverell Bowls Fundraiser, Inverell, NSW

20

Sydney Running Festival, PCFA NSW

20 22

Blue Ribbon Ride - Christian Motorcyclists, from Logan Hyperdome to Redland Bay Hotel Table4Ten – 500+ guests at 50 simultaneous dinner parties in Sydney’s top restaurants, NSW

25

Corporate Rugby 10’s PCFA fundraiser – Ballymore, QLD

28

138th Young Annual Show with Sunrise morning show, NSW

September is International Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. In Australia, September also means Father’s Day, football finals and end of season sports club gatherings. By hosting a barbecue and asking for donations at these events, you can help PCFA continue to fund Australian research into prostate cancer.

* AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) & AACR (Australasian Association of Cancer Registries) 2008.

ence is You!

r Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer might be a male-only disease, but its effect is far reaching. Wives and partners, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, grandchildren and friends – all are impacted by a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Recent statistics indicate that far too many Australians will feel the impact of prostate cancer. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, it is estimated in 2010 alone that:

• almost 20,000 Australian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer; and • more than 3,300 Australian men will lose their life to this disease.* To host a BBQ for Prostate Cancer go to www.prostate.org.au Cancer in Australia: an overview, 2008. Cancer series no 46. Cat no CAN 42 Canberra: AIHW.

The Commonwealth Bank has been privileged to partner with PCFA since 2002 to help promote awareness of prostate cancer and to raise funds to support vital research.

In 2009 the Commonwealth Bank continues to provide essential fundraising support to PCFA and is the major sponsor of The Difference is You! campaign in September. The Commonwealth Bank is also supporting the campaign by engaging their staff and customers through a variety of public relations and marketing activities.

Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Bank, Ralph Norris, said, ‘We are committed to helping PCFA with research, advocacy and awareness relating to a disease that affects thousands of Australian men.’

This long-standing partnership began in 2002 when the Commonwealth Bank supported PCFA to establish Australia’s first nationwide network of prostate tissue banks which provide an essential resource to all Australian prostate cancer researchers.

From 2006–08 the Commonwealth Bank partnered with PCFA to deliver a series of Men’s Health Forums throughout Australia to encourage men and their families to be proactive about their health and to educate them about prostate cancer and other important health issues, such as heart disease and depression.

Since 2006 the ‘Hitting Cancer for Six’ campaign has seen the Bank donate $1,000 for every ‘six’ hit during the Commonwealth Bank One Day Cricket Series, raising $160,000 for PCFA and the Breast Cancer Institute of Australia.

Commonwealth Bank employees also actively participate in the annual Movember campaign for men’s health – including prostate cancer – raising more than $444,000 for this campaign since 2006.

PCFA September supporters include

MURRAYS

COACHES • BUSES • LIMOUSINES

NSW Pirtek Fishing Challenge nets $100,000 Intimacy & closeness In the March Prostate News we promoted a new research project by the School of Psychology at the University of Western Sydney in collaboration with PCFA, the Cancer Council of NSW, the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Sydney West Cancer Network Psycho-Oncology Service and Westmead Hospital. The aim of the research is to make the experience of cancer more manageable by helping couples reclaim closeness and intimacy in their relationships. There was a great response from the readers of Prostate News and the researchers are now also looking to hear from the intimate partners of people with cancer.

Professor Jane Ussher says the diagnosis and treatment of cancer can often result in the complete cessation of sex and intimate physical contact. ‘Sexuality and intimacy is central to psychological well-being and quality of life. For many couples, this alteration in their physical relationship is the most significant and damaging aspect of the entire cancer experience,’ she said.

The inaugural Pirtek Fishing Challenge over the Easter Weekend was an outstanding success and at a lunch held by PCFA to thank their key sponsors and supporters, Stephen Dutton, General Manager of Pirtek Fluid Systems, presented PCFA with a cheque for $100,000.

The lunch was hosted by NSW Board Chairman Tony Sonneveld with guest speaker Alan Jones AO and attended by many long standing PCFA supporters, as well as PCFA CEO, Andrew Giles and National Chairman, Graeme Johnson.

On presenting the cheque, Stephen Dutton commented, ‘We are thrilled to be making such a significant contribution to PCFA. The aim of the Pirtek Fishing Challenge was to raise awareness and funds in the fight against prostate cancer. Everyone within our company has embraced the campaign, contributing to its success, and we look forward to an even bigger competition in 2010.’

The $100,000 will be utilised to fund research and awareness programs in the fight against prostate cancer.

The 2010 Pirtek Fishing Challenge Sunday, 11 April 2010 For details visit www.pirtekfishingchallenge.com.au

In their previous study, the researchers found that while sexuality and intimacy is important after diagnosis and during treatment, 59% of female partners and 79% of male partners reported the cessation or decreased frequency of sex at this time.

‘Partners may also repress their own sexual needs for the assumed benefit of the person with cancer and, by re-positioning the person as a patient, may find it difficult to continue to see their partner as a sexual person,’ said Professor Ussher.

The project team are looking for intimate partners of a person with cancer, as well as people with cancer, to take part in the study. This will involve completing a questionnaire, and if you are interested, taking part in a supportive intervention.

To take part, contact the project co-ordinator Caroline Joyce on cancerandsexuality@uws.edu.au or free call 1800 19 20 02.

8 PROSTATE NEWS

Landing the big one. Left to right: Stephen Dutton, General Manager, Pirtek Fluid Systems, Andrew Giles, CEO PCFA, Alan Jones, Graeme Johnson, National Chairman PCFA and Glenn Duncan, Managing Director, Pirtek Fluid Systems.

QLD Rumble 2 the Top 2009 The stereotype of a Harley Davidson biker is often one of a beefy, bearded bloke with lots of tattoos. However the reality is sometimes a little different.

Based in southeast Queensland, Sandie Janssen is a hard-working, successful businesswoman owning and managing a multi-site franchise of Queensland’s popular The Coffee Club. She’s equally at home in the boardroom or working in one of her cafes.

And she’s a Harley Davidson riding biker, raising funds for, and awareness of, prostate cancer.

Sandie is one half of the driving force behind The Rumble Riders who depart Rockhampton each year for a different Australian destination, raising funds and awareness about men’s health as they go. This year it was Darwin, with the Rumble 2 the Top. The year before it was Rumble 2 the Rock at Uluru.

Initially designed as a motorcycle-based fundraising event, Rumble 2 the Top was expanded in 2009 to extensively promote grass roots-level awareness of prostate cancer and the role of PCFA in reducing its impact on Australian families.

‘During the ten-day ride there were no less than 25 awareness events,’ said PCFA Queensland manager Graeme Higgs. ‘PCFA Ambassador Ross Gommersall, Dr Sandy Moore and her assistant (always in character as “Nurse Nasty”) and PCFA champion, Bundy the Wonder Dog, with handlers Tex and Jen, put on quite a show delivering the message on yearly check-ups.’

Businessman Mick Schinkel from Rockhampton is the other half of the dynamic duo organising the Rumble Riders.

‘Mike and his wife assigned Rumble Riders to canvas the CBD of every settlement the ride passed through, both to solicit donations and to promote awareness. Without their quiet persistence we would not have such a fabulous result – $48,000.’

Professor Colleen Nelson and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh at the Smart Futures Awards.

$1.25 million Smart Futures Premier’s Fellowship New treatments for advanced prostate cancer are a step closer to reality with a $1.25 million grant over five years awarded to Queensland University of Technology (QUT) prostate cancer researcher Professor Colleen Nelson.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said Professor Nelson’s work at QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation had the potential to save thousands of lives each year. ‘Professor Nelson is regarded as a world leader in prostate cancer research and her work is helping us to treat and better understand the most common cancer contracted by Australian males,’ said Anna Bligh.

‘One in nine men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime, and almost 3000 men die of prostate cancer every year.

Professor Nelson’s groundbreaking work is attempting to pinpoint more effective treatments for advanced prostate cancer and is exploring the disturbing links between diabetes and obesity in males and prostate cancer.’

A fantastic Rumble result. PCFA Queensland Manager, Graeme Higgs with Tony Janssen and Sandie Janssen.

Professor Nelson is Director of the Australian-Canadian Prostate Cancer Research Alliance, which has previously received $2 million in funding from the Queensland Government and is supported by PCFA and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Canada. She is also a Director of the new Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre – Queensland, which will be established with Australian Government funding, initially at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital prior to the opening of the new $300 million Translational Research Institute in 2012.

PROSTATE NEWS 9

WA Pedal for Prostate!

Now is the time to pull on the bike shorts and get ready for the challenge of a lifetime! PCFA State Manager WA, Debra Royle, will be joining a group of people on a cycling trip to Cambodia and Vietnam in May 2010. Apart from increased fitness in the lead up to the trip there are two other challenges; riding on average 45km per day (although there are some non-cycling days) and raising $6500 to join in the fun.

For those who want to help raise awareness of prostate cancer, as well as funds for research and support projects, this is a great way to do both at the same time. It is even an ideal father and son trip; 2 weeks away cycling together for a common cause.

Register now to ensure enough time to reach the fundraising target and to secure your space on this fabulous trip. For further details please contact event organiser Inspired Adventures where Tristanne (tristanne@inspiredadventures. com.au or 02 9262 9880) will answer your queries, explain the process and assist you to tailor your fundraising strategy.

Localised Prostate Cancer Short Course trial In early 2008 PCFA surveyed men with prostate cancer and their partners about their information needs. As a result, between September 2008 and June 2009, a Localised Prostate Cancer Short Course was trialled by PCFA with the support of the Cancer Council WA at their rural patient hostel Crawford Lodge in Nedlands, Perth.

Consisting of four two-hour sessions over five nights, the free course aimed to provide information to assist with decisions about treatment for localised prostate cancer and life afterwards, including topics such as continence, sexuality, diet and exercise and dealing with cancer.

The trial course was delivered by nine health professionals to an audience of 62 men and 40 women and feedback was very encouraging.

“ Very enlightening, we enjoyed the face to face

interaction. Because the internet provides too much information, we had trouble finding the information we needed. We felt as if a weight had been lifted off our shoulders when we went to the course.”

The course evaluation will now be reviewed by PCFA’s Awareness and Education committee to determine if it is replicable and viable in other states and rural areas.

VIC Finding the best treatments

They visited treatment centres in Los Angeles, Washington DC and New York where they were pleased to find that Australian levels of care compared well with the US centres where education and support were key elements of patient care.

In June 2009 Emma Birch, urology nurse, and Dr Addie Wootten, psychologist, from the Royal Melbourne Hospital undertook a travelling fellowship sponsored by the Department of Human Services, Victorian Quality Council to the USA to look at best practice in multidisciplinary prostate cancer care.

Emma and Addie will now pilot a structured, multidisciplinary model of care that focuses on patient education and support at all phases of the prostate cancer experience and aims to improve outcomes, both physically and emotionally, for prostate cancer patients at Royal Melbourne Hospital.

10 PROSTATE NEWS

Vale Trevor Hunt

by Jeff Roberts

A determined promoter of prostate cancer awareness and a great friend to all in the nation’s prostate cancer fraternity.

Trevor Hunt

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of a great South Australian, Trevor Hunt. He was an outstanding contributor to, and advocate of, prostate cancer support groups; a determined promoter of prostate cancer awareness and a great friend to all in the nation’s prostate cancer fraternity.

Born in Aldinga, South Australia, in 1933, Trevor grew up at McLaren Vale. Following study on a scholarship at Kings College in Adelaide, he initially worked on his family’s vineyard before joining the Savings Bank of SA at McLaren Vale in 1951. He remained a bank officer throughout his working life – at Bordertown, Kadina, Adelaide (where he married Coralie Bond in 1958) and Whyalla, where the couple lived for nine years and raised their three children. He was a bank manager at Eudunda in 1968, McLaren Vale, Mt Barker from 1978 and Clovelly Park from 1987.

Trevor began his community involvement with Whyalla Jaycees (as president, and editor of an award-winning magazine), Mt Barker Lions, various school councils, football and bowling club committees and the National Trust and Friendship Force.

When Trevor retired after 40 years service with the bank, he served as president and secretary of the Noarlunga/Morphett Vale Lions Club and was awarded the Lions Melvin Jones Award and James D Richardson Certificate.

In January 1999 Trevor was diagnosed with prostate cancer and the following month he and Coralie attended their first support group meeting in Adelaide. By early 2000, Trevor and Coralie had joined the Prostate Cancer Action Group, which led to

speaking engagements and advocacy work. In 2001 the Group was incorporated with Trevor as inaugural chairman. Together with Jeff Roberts and Ray Power, Trevor formed a small committee to plan new directions for the group and this led to the public awareness presentations which are still continuing very successfully today. He also produced a widely acclaimed newsletter.

In 2001 Trevor became the initial SA representative on the PCFA Support and Advocacy Committee and his commitment to PCFA was recognised when he was honoured, in his absence, with the prestigious Max Gardner Award in 2008. Trevor was also a volunteer with the Cancer Council SA for some nine years before resigning in 2008.

He was involved in many prostate cancer committees, most recently as a consumer representative in the preparation of the upcoming Consumer Guidelines for Advanced Prostate Cancer, available later this year. In May a support group delegation visited Trevor and Coralie at their home to present Trevor with the Premier’s Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding volunteer service – recognition that Trevor was very pleased to receive.

Trevor and Coralie had a wonderful relationship. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2008 and Trevor always deeply appreciated Coralie’s love, care and support. He showed great courage and determination in battling his disease, but died in hospital on 21 June. An estimated 200 people attended the funeral service in the Heysen Chapel at Centennial Park on 26 June. He is survived by Coralie, his children Brian, Neil and Alison, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

PROSTATE NEWS 11

New help for depression and anxiety where to get help and strategies to challenge negative thinking.

Each year about 18,700 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in Australia. This diagnosis can have a significant impact on the man, his partner and his family, some of whom go on to develop depression and anxiety.

The easy-to-follow booklet draws on the combined expertise of the Cancer Council Queensland and academics specialising in cancer and mental health. Importantly, it includes the real-life experiences of men and their partners following a diagnosis.

‘We recognised a need to provide information about depression and anxiety tailored specifically to men with prostate cancer and their partners because we know that the risk of developing a mental health problem increases after diagnosis,’ said beyondblue CEO Leonie Young.

PCFA has collaborated with beyondblue: the national depression initiative to develop a new free booklet to help those diagnosed with prostate cancer – Maintaining Your Well-Being: Information on depression and anxiety for men with prostate cancer and their partners. The booklet was produced with financial support from Movember and is available from beyondblue at 1300 22 4636 (local call) or through www.beyondblue.org.au

‘We hope the booklet will help to get the message out that noone should feel they have to go through depression and anxiety alone. Help is close by and effective treatments are available.’

The 40-page booklet contains comprehensive information on common reactions to diagnosis, undergoing treatment and what to expect on the cancer journey. It includes the signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety, checklists, information on

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