Mrs Morley emphasises the week is designed to spark discussions about improving men’s health, covering areas such as diabetes, heart health, mental health and wellbeing of men and boys across Australia.
“One in two men will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime, with suicide the leading cause of death for males under the age of 55 in Australia,” she said.
“Australian men with prostate cancer have a significantly higher risk of suicide when compared to the general male population, with a 70 per cent increased risk.”
The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia estimates 26,000 men in Australia each year will be diagnosed with the disease.
To raise awareness of the issues facing the men in your life, PCFA is running a fundraising event called ‘Walk for Him’ during Men’s Health Week.
“The funds raised will go towards life-saving research, awareness campaigns and support services,” Mrs Morley said.
“You can do the walk individually, or as a workplace, as a team or just a bunch of mates, or maybe even an entire sports club.”
Participants can register at walkforhim.org.au and set their own distance goals, with a minimum suggested walk of 25km for the week.
Mrs Morley will set up an information display about prostate cancer resources, including details about symptoms, diagnosis rates, and the current five-year survival rate of 95.8 per cent, in the health promotion area near the cafeteria at Echuca Regional Health.
She emphasises that a simple PSA blood test is the first line defence in the early detection of prostate cancer.
“Age is a huge risk from 40 years old plus, as are family history, genetic risk and ethnicity of African ancestry,” Mrs Morley said.
She said while 70 per cent of men were diagnosed over the age of 65, “it is not just an old man's disease”.
Prostate cancer specialist nurses provide free support services during weekday office hours for hospital and community patients, offering ongoing contact, care co-ordination and access to support groups.
The symptoms of prostate cancer include frequent difficulty, pain or discomfort when urinating, blood in your urine or semen, or pain in your lower back, upper thighs or hips.
Mrs Morley advises that men over the age of 50 talk to their doctor about having a simple blood test, a PSA test, which helps identify any concerns in the prostate.
Prostate cancer specialist nurse Serena Morley can be contacted through the Echuca Regional Health Cancer and Wellness Centre on 5485 5270.
• Lifeline 131 114 or visit lifeline.org.au; Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 or beyondblue.org.au; MensLine Australia, phone 1300 789 978 or visit mensline.org.au
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