Prostate News - ISSUE 60 / April 2015

FUNDRAISING

PROSTATENEWS REDUCING THE IMPACT OF PROSTATE CANCER

CELEBRATING

DIVERSITY

ISSUE 60 / APRIL 2015

CONTENTS, CEO MESSAGE & NATIONAL BOARD

Contents Around the Country .............. 02

CEO Message

Parliamentary Friends of Prostate Cancer Awareness

Research .............................. 03 Awareness ............................ 05 Health Programs & Nursing ............................. 06 Board Matters .......................07 Support .................................... 09 Advocacy .................................. 11

Fundraising ........................... 13 Partnerships ......................... 14

Cover shot: Evan Kallipolitis and Sydney Mardi Gras Fair Day 2015 Nurse. Read more on page 9.

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I am delighted to report that Karen McNamara MP (Member for Dobell) and the Hon Jason Clare MP (Member for Blaxland) have recently established the Parliamentary Friends of Prostate Cancer Awareness. The group is bipartisan with co-chairs drawn from the Government of the day and the Opposition.

This development will further strengthen PCFA’s already strong links with the Federal Parliament.

We anticipate that the group will provide a forum for PCFA to update parliamentarians on topical issues in prostate cancer treatment and care, such as the need for additional Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses and the importance of obtaining an MBS item number for prostate MRI so that patients no longer have to pay themselves.

The group is planning four events for 2015: a launch event in March; an event to coincide with International Men’s Health Week in June; the Parliamentary Big Aussie Barbie in September and an event to coincide with Movember.

The group also plans to encourage Federal MPs to hold awareness and fundraising events in their electorates, including using PCFA Ambassadors to deliver the awareness message.

From all of us in the prostate cancer community, thank you to Karen and Jason for leading this important and exciting new initiative.

Associate Professor Anthony Lowe, Chief Executive Officer, PCFA

National Board Chairman Jim Hughes AM

National Support Groups Ian Wagner (Chairman)

Deputy Chairman Steve Callister

Marketing & Fundraising Steve Callister (Chairman)

Finance & Operations Chris Hall (Chairman)

Rotary John Palmer

Health & Education Dr David Malouf (Chairman)

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National Director Professor John Mills AO

State Chairmen Tony Sonneveld OAM (NSW/ACT) Peter Gebert (VIC/ TAS) Bill Munro (WA) Distinguished Professor Judith Clements (QLD) Michael Brock (SA/NT)

AROUND THE COUNTRY

SA/NT 2015 started with a bang! New Chair Michael Brock has hit the ground running, after taking the reins from Emeritus Professor Villis Marshall AC. Michael was able to confirm SA’s new Governor His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AO as the new Patron. The Advertiser Sunday Mail Foundation declared PCFA-SA its charity of choice at the prestigious fundraising lunch ‘kicking off’ the football season. The Adelaide Hunt Club once again confirmed PCFA as the beneficiary of its infamous Melbourne Cup luncheon. Finally, Michael is chairing a group organising a ‘Blokes Lunch’, at the recently renovated Adelaide Oval on Friday August 14 – an event, hopefully annual and tipped to be the biggest PCFA ever held in SA.

Michael Brock, David Sandoe OAM Villis Marshall AC

and Emeritus Prof

NSW/ACT

VIC/ TAS

Balmain Sports Medicine held their annual Golf Day at Moore Park Golf Club to raise much needed funds and awareness for PCFA. Now in its 4th year of fundraising for PCFA, this year’s event brought over 100 players together to have a great day on the green and raise money.

2015 has seen a tremendous start for PCFA. We are delighted to announce that her Excellency Professor The Honourable Kate Warner AM, Governor of Tasmania has accepted our request to become Patron of PCFA in Tasmania.

A bevy of auction and raffle items contributed to the funds raised and the passion and commitment by the organisers made this event a great success.

Carbrook Golf Club President Peter Sophie Askew (PCFA)

Anemaat and

QLD The Carbrook Golf Club is a long term supporter of PCFA. The club runs the annual ‘Pink Baggers Corporate Golf Day’ which is a four person Ambrose event with a midday shotgun start and an evening function following.

Our highly successful regional “Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch” events are coming to Melbourne!! The REIV Charitable Foundation and The Victoria Water Industry Association will both be holding events in June to raise awareness and funds for PCFA. Both of these associations have been fantastic and we appreciate their strong support.

Members of the Pink Baggers started the event as a bit of fun but then made this an annual fundraising event for PCFA after making the decision to ‘give prostate cancer the finger’.

Pictured above is President of the Carbrook Golf Club Peter Anemaat, who has been involved in the fundraiser from its inception.

urable Kate Warner Her Excellency Professor the Hono Governor of Tasmania

WA Craig Gregory (Balmain Sports Medi cine), Ross Sutherland (PCFA Ambassador) Cass andra Birch (PCFA NSW/ACT State Mana ger) Richard Bennet (PCFA NSW/ACT Board Mem ber) James Sutherland (Balmain Sports Medicine)

Daryl Henning, affectionately known as Doc, is a long term, highly valued supporter of PCFA. Doc has been collecting donations for over three years from businesses and community members in the Safety Bay and surrounding regions. oe OAM

Doc Henning, Roz Baker, David Sand

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AM,

RESEARCH

Honouring Dr Ian Roos OAM PCFA gives heartfelt thanks to one of the most committed advocates of those facing the cancer journey As we enter the main building of the beautiful Applewood Village in Doncaster, we find ourselves in a very welcoming environment. Music is playing in the background, there is beautiful art on the walls, lots of books and residents enjoying conversations supported by the friendliest of staff. We take a seat in the lounge.

Our Chairman, David Sandoe and his wife Pam were on hand for a very good reason. We are meeting an old friend, Dr Ian Roos OAM. Ian and his wife of more than 45 years, Pam, now call Applewood their new home.

We are here to present Ian with the PCFA Award, the highest level of acknowledgement given to our supporters by the National Board of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Ian is a family man, scholar, scientist, administrator, educator, guide, philosopher and friend. His work as a consumer representative, patient advocate and policy advisor, since his diagnosis with an aggressive prostate cancer 16 years ago, sets him apart. At a COSA conference Ian is quoted as saying: “the cancer patient can share the experience, not the cancer.

Yet it is now part of their being. It is not their partner’s cancer, but it affects their partner. It is not their family’s cancer, but it affects their family. It is not their friends’ cancer, yet their friends grieve for the challenge to longevity that it presents. It is the patient’s and the patient is the one who has to negotiate meaning from it and an identity that incorporates it”.

Ian is a great friend and supporter of PCFA over many years, assisting with unique contributions as a scientist and an advanced prostate cancer patient to our resources, membership of the Research Advisory Committee, various Movember projects on our behalf, PSA testing guidelines expert panel and the Advanced Prostate Cancer Guidelines expert panel.

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As a consumer advocate for cancer sufferers other than the prostate, which also has great relevance for prostate cancer, Ian has had an intimate involvement with many institutions, including being State Chair of National Cancer Advocacy Organisations and member of numerous advisory panels and consumer groups. Ian was the founding Chair of Cancer Voices Victoria, an advocacy group for those affected by Cancer and has been Chair of Cancer Voices Australia, now CanSpeak Australia.

He has been a volunteer with Cancer Connect. Ian has served on a number of government bodies that address different aspects of cancer such as Victorian Ministerial Task Force on Cancer, North Eastern Metropolitan Integrated Cancer Service, CanNet Victoria and the National Cancer Nursing Education Project, National Research Advisory Group of Cancer Australia, the Radiation Oncology Working Group, the Council of the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) and is a director of the Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG).

With his wisdom regarding ‘outcomes’ for patients he suggests that the treating medical professionals need to ‘see more than a medical term or statistic’ when dealing with the patient as the ‘patient lives with “outcomes” every day. He asks that they ‘manage the complexity of treatments’ and ‘make the patient the centre of treatment’. Ian asks that the professionals learn ’who we are, about our lifestyle, our relationships and make treatment meaningful’. There’s a need to make the decisions consistent with diagnosis.

He also asked that the medical professional ‘respect our intelligence; treat the patient with dignity and make the family carers and loved ones included in our care’.

RESEARCH

He voiced the opinion that consumers have the right to know why they are having the treatment offered and to educate and help the consumer, his partner, family and loved ones to better understand the disease and the consequences of treatment.

Ian walks in with a little help from his walking frame, in good spirits, very happy to see David. Pam and his daughter Clare join us as well. Lunch and award presentation take place at the

Applewood restaurant. Debra, one of the administrative members of staff takes a picture and is delighted to learn that a star lives amongst the Applewood community.

Ian is delighted to receive the award, and we are so honoured to be associated with a man of his standing. Thank you Ian! The PCFA family salutes you!

Miranda Xhilaga Director, Research Programs

The PCFA Award was established in (2010) in recognition of those who have given outstanding commitment and service to PCFA over a lengthy period of time.

Previous PCFA Award recipients are: Lindsay May (2011), Chris McPherson (2012), The Hon. Wayne Swan MP (2012) and Dr Carole Pinnock AM (2013). The Hon. Jim Lloyd also recently received his PCFA Award.

From left to right: Pam Roos, Pam Sandoe OAM, David Sandoe OAM, Dr Ian Roos OAM (seated), Clare Bilton-Roos, Associate Professor Miranda Xhilaga, Ms Anne Maerz.

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AWARENESS

Ambassadors We are very proud of all the hard work accomplished by PCFA’s Ambassadors recently. The program has reached thousands of people throughout the year, and we thank all of the Ambassadors for their great work and dedication to increasing awareness in their communities.

PCFA is looking forward to 2015 being an even more productive year for the program, and with more Ambassadors throughout the country, we hope to reach more rural communities, as well as more audiences from CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) community groups.

Reflecting on some of the recent highlights and accomplishments of the program:

With International Men’s Health Week quickly approaching (June 15-21, 2015), now is a great time to organise a speaker for your workplace or group.

For more information on how you can organise a speaker for your workplace, group, or club, please contact ambassadors@pcfa.org.au.

• PCFA

has more than 150 trained Ambassadors in all states and territories. Approximately 25% of those speakers reside in rural and regional areas, which has allowed the message of awareness and early detection to reach even more communities, including farming and mining towns.

• The

Ambassador program has been actively promoted nationwide, both

by Ambassadors themselves in their community, and by targeted mail-outs to various organisations, including Lions and Rotary Clubs.

• Recently,

Ambassador presentations have occurred in a diverse variety of locations, including governmental bodies, Men’s Fellowship groups, adult language learning centres, university campuses, pharmacies, and a hot-rod car club.

QLD Ambassadors are looking forward to giving presentations in their communities. Back row, (l to r): Fred Travis, Bevin Irvine, Tricia Herrmann, Jeff Herrmann, Malcolm Hughes, Helen Adams, Rob McCulloch, John Beattie, Katie Dundas, Bill Hogan. Front row (l to r): Darryl Earl, Tony Dehn, Marilyn Clark. Not pictured: Miff Pate and Daryl Hyland.

Roadshow Program PCFA’s Rural Education Roadshow Program, which visited rural and regional areas throughout Australia, was a pilot program funded by the government.

The Roadshow program was a fantastic success, and PCFA is extremely appreciative to everyone who gave their time to make the Roadshows great, including the health professionals who presented and attended, the communities involved, and the Support Groups who promoted the events in their towns.

health professionals were reached and 685 community members. The final evaluation of the program has shown that 92% of health professionals and 90% of consumers “strongly agreed” that attending the session increased their knowledge of prostate cancer, and it is great to see that the Roadshow had such a positive impact on rural communities, and that health professionals in those areas are more knowledgeable on this important subject.

Reflecting on some of the Roadshow’s accomplishments, the program visited 26 sites throughout 2013-2014, more than originally anticipated. In total, 586

“The Roadshow Program was a great opportunity to reach both medical professionals and consumers, especially as information and specialists can be

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harder to access in rural and remote areas”, states Katie Dundas, Education Programs Coordinator.

PCFA would also like to thank the Department of Health for their generous funding of the Roadshow program.

For more information about any of the sites visited, please visit PCFA’s website, http://www.pcfa.org.au/ awareness/rural-education-roadshow/

HEALTH PROGRAMS & NURSING

Introducing the Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses of Western Australia Welcome to the first part of a series of stories introducing our national Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses (PCSNs) based in metropolitan and rural sites around Australia. This issue will highlight the Western Australian nurses. WA hosts two PSCNs, one at St John of God, Bunbury and the other at Hollywood Private Hospital, Nedlands.

Kaye Pedretti works at St John of God, Bunbury and has been working as a Registered Nurse and Midwife for 40 years. Kaye was attracted to the PCSN role primarily due to her previous contact caring for men pre and post-operative radical prostatectomy, her involvement with continence care, sexual health care and her prior experience in counselling men.

Kaye sees her role as a resource for men, their families and other health professionals to coordinate and support men diagnosed with cancer. She works with other health professionals providing care to these men and helps ensure that there is awareness regarding the invaluable role of the PCSN.

Lisa Ferri works at Hollywood Private Hospital, Nedlands. Lisa views the role of the PCSN as a way to support men and their families diagnosed with prostate cancer. Lisa sees the value in being able to spend time with men and their families, answering their questions and supporting them as they navigate their way through their treatment plan. Lisa’s aim is to make the role of the prostate cancer specialist nurse integral to the care of each patient diagnosed with prostate cancer at Hollywood Private Hospital.

Lisa was attracted to the PCSN as a way to make a valuable contribution to the men diagnosed with prostate cancer, their families and the multidisciplinary team. She sees her role as one of education and as advisor where required.

New study reveals risk of dying from prostate cancer higher in Australian than American men A new study published in the World Journal of Urology shows that Australian men have a greater chance of dying from prostate cancer than their American peers.

Although mortality from prostate cancer in Australia has dropped by 30% compared to nearly two decades ago, the study shows that this is much lower than a drop of 50% in mortality in the United States for the same period. The difference equates to 11,000 more lives of Australian men lost over a 17 year period.

Regional Disparities Another recent review of the literature from 1998-2014, funded by PCFA and published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention by Prof Peter D Baade and his colleagues at Cancer Council Queensland, has looked at variation in global distribution of prostate cancer and potential reasons for it.

Literature shows that the risk of being diagnosed and death from prostate cancer is strongly associated with where men live, and is particularly affected by Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) testing practices,

in addition to health systems, life expectancy, and competing causes of mortality.

Prof Baade and his colleagues state that “men living in urban or affluent areas had higher rates of PSA testing, higher prostate cancer incidence, lower risk of advanced prostate cancer, better survival, greater access or use of medical services and lower mortality than men living in rural or disadvantaged areas respectively�.

Mortality from prostate cancer in regional areas was found to be higher than in central areas in the USA, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, New Zealand etc.

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BOARD MATTERS

Board Matters Farewell to David Sandoe OAM PCFA has farewelled our National Chairman of three years, David Sandoe.

David has been a director since 2004 and National Chairman since May 2012.

Together with his wife Pam, David’s extensive involvement in the organisation spans 18 years from when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

David and Pam’s contributions were celebrated at a function attended by friends, family and colleagues from throughout the years. ‘I’ve been very fortunate, as has my wife Pam, to have had incredible opportunities over the years in our various PCFA roles and to have worked with such wonderful people across the country’, David said.

PCFA would like to extend a sincere thank you to David for his dedication and commitment over the last 18 years. His exceptional contribution as a Director of PCFA and Support Group Leader has made a tremendous contribution to our organisation, and we wish him all the best for his retirement.

In recognition of their exceptional contribution to PCFA over 18 years, David and Pam were each awarded a PCFA Honorary Life Membership.

Introducing PCFA’s new National Chairman Jim Hughes AM. As former PCFA Deputy Chairman, Jim Hughes has been part of a team that has contributed to the work of those before him in moulding PCFA into the organisation it is today: a credible, respected voice for prostate cancer and a significant funder of prostate cancer research.

But as the prevalence of prostate cancer continues to rise, he says there is an important need for PCFA to build on this base so it can greatly increase research, awareness and support for the benefit of men with prostate cancer and their families.

“I would like to pay credit to our outgoing Chairman David Sandoe OAM and his wife Pam Sandoe OAM. I have rarely seen a couple in a voluntary capacity work so

Jim Hughes AM, David Sandoe OAM and Pam Sandoe OAM

Dist Prof Judith Clements, Prof John Mills AO, A/Prof Susan Henshall UICC, Dr Miranda Xhilaga

Prof Pamela Russell AM, Roger Climpson OAM MBE

Mark Von Dadelszen QSM, President PCFNZ

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hard or so effectively for an organisation such as David and Pam. We wish them a well-earned and enjoyable retirement.”

PCFA is delighted to announce that the Governor General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), has accepted our invitation to be Patron in Chief of PCFA – an important appointment which will highlight the impact prostate cancer is having on men in Australia.

Along with our awareness and support work, Jim sees research as “mission critical” to all of PCFA’s work, to ensure better outcomes for men through earlier detection and more effective treatment. Having invested $30 million in prostate cancer research in the last five years in partnership with the Movember Foundation, PCFA will refine the direction, timing and execution of research to ensure Australian expertise plays an increasing role in the global research effort against prostate cancer.

He says PCFA will continue to work closely as the peak body for prostate cancer across Federal and State government jurisdictions, the corporate sector and individuals, to raise awareness and build

A/Prof David Smith, Prof Dianne O’Connell, Prof Afaf Girgis

BOARD MATTERS

Board Matters financial strength to support an increasing number of services. He is particularly impressed that Support Groups have grown to 178 around the country, and support services will diversify to include other media, such as online and social media, to reach a greater proportion of the men who need our support, he says.

Jim Hughes AM, PCFA National Chairman

Jim has been actively involved in community activities and not-for-profit organisations for many years, sits on a number of boards, lectures on business risk, and is a past Chairman and Director of the Apex Foundation of Australia and a Life Governor of the Apex Clubs of Australia. He now lives on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. In 2012 he was recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia for a variety of community interests including amongst other things “the advancement of men’s health.”

Steve Callister, Deputy National Chairman Steve Callister, PCFA Deputy National Chairman

With a varied background as an exrugby playing qualified accountant who owns the largest handbag and fashion accessory import business in Australia, PCFA’s new Deputy Chairman, Steve Callister, comes to the role following more than 10 years’ involvement with the prostate cancer community.

Award Recipients

Australia Day Awards

PCFA Award

Two of our Support Group Leaders were the named Citizens of the Year at the Australia Day Awards in January, granted in recognition of the outstanding contribution they have made to their local communities.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia congratulates the Hon Jim Lloyd on receipt of the prestigious PCFA Award. David Sandoe OAM, PCFA National Chairman, presented the award to Jim in February in recognition of his valuable support putting the PCFA cause on the map for his Federal parliamentary colleagues and across Australia.

Don Lockley from Prosper, the Darwin based Prostate Cancer Support Group was named Darwin’s Citizen of the Year.

In addition to Don’s involvement with PCFA, He also founded Darwin’s YMCA and is a scout volunteer.

After his own diagnosis 11 years ago at the age of 54, his successful prostatectomy allowed him to return to work quickly and he has been well since. Thankful for the early detection of his cancer and the care and support he received at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, he agreed to become moderator of their support group, established by the late Max Gardner AM. His generalist business and people skills, required to manage a successful medium sized enterprise, have meant Steve has been able to contribute and progress to the NSW Support Group Council Chair and then the National Support Group Committee, the Chair of the NSW Board and ultimately to the National Board.

His role as Deputy Chairman sees him supporting the Chairman in realising PCFA’s mission of research, awareness and support, as well as taking on specific objectives and portfolios.

“Over the years PCFA has grown immensely and we would like to reinforce the mission and grow the organisation to achieve even further benefits and outcomes,” he says.

When he’s not working or contributing his time to PCFA, Steve enjoys a variety of sports, skiing and travelling with his wife, Marilee.

Kerry Geale from the Wagga Wagga Prostate Cancer Support Group is also a recipient of the Citizen of the Year award for the many activities that he is involved with in the Wagga Wagga community.

PCFA extends thanks to the commitment that both Don and Kerry demonstrate for the support network and congratulates them on this outstanding achievement.

We would also like to congratulate our board member Professor John Mills AO and our former board members Professor Tony Costello AM and Professor Phil Stricker AO on receiving Australia Day 2015 Honours.

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SUPPORT

Support Groups Our support network continues to grow with 83 new groups established since July 2011 and more groups are being planned. PCFA now has a network of 178 affiliated support groups across Australia, with 20 designed for specific populations.

In early 2015, our network has already been engaged in a range of awareness activities around the country. These demonstrate the importance of the network’s role in working to increase awareness of prostate cancer and to offer support for people dealing with prostate cancer in the Australian Community.

Fair Day From the west to the east coast, PCFA lent its support to the LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex) community and participated in annual Fair Day celebrations in Perth and Sydney in February.

Fair Day organised by Pride WA, took place at Hyde Park, Perth on 15 February.

Members of the Perth Shine a Light Support Group for Gay & Bisexual Men, the WA Chapter Council and state office team members supported this event and distributed PCFA resources to visitors.

In Sydney, at Victoria Park on 22 February, Fair Day attracted an estimated 80,000 people and marks the beginning of the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras celebrations. PCFA hosted an information booth in collaboration with Cancer Council NSW and the Sydney Shine a Light Support Group for Gay & Bisexual Men. Following the release of new resource; Prostate cancer pack: information for gay and bisexual men, both the Sydney and Perth events presented the opportunity to

promote this resource and provide tailored information about prostate cancer to the gay and bisexual community.

World Cancer Day World Cancer Day 2015 was celebrated on 4 February. This year’s tagline, “Not Beyond Us” aims to take a positive and proactive approach to the fight against cancer, highlighting that solutions do exist across the continuum of cancer, and that they are within our reach. Many members of our network acknowledged this day and took the opportunity to raise awareness about key areas of prevention, early detection, and treatment and care to make positive change in reducing the impact of cancer on the Australian community.

In Victoria, our Melbourne office celebrated the day by inviting the specialist support group leaders to a morning tea.

This was also an opportunity to celebrate the reach and diversity of our network and provided an informal way for group leaders to connect and share their experiences, with lively discussions on variations in culture and locality

VIVA Festival PCFA collaborated with Breast Cancer Network Australia, Cancer Council Victoria and members of our network to host a stand at Federation Square, Melbourne, to raise awareness of cancer to our culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Victoria. This event builds on the strong relationships we have with these two organisations by working together to broaden our reach within the Australian community

Prostate Cancer Information and Support Program PCFA has collaborated with Cancer Council Tasmania to fund and host a series of information workshops for men and their partners at various stages of their cancer journey. This innovative education program provides the opportunity to hear from and interact with a range of Jillian Hutchinson, Evan Kallipolotis, Robert Caldwell, Graeme Bartlett, (Shine a Light Support Group for Gay & Bisexual Men), Kim Pearce (Cancer Council NSW)

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SUPPORT

Support Groups professionals about various aspects of living with cancer. The success of these workshops, which are of five weeks’ duration, is well demonstrated. An ongoing support group has now been established in Launceston consisting of the participants of this initial workshop.

Five more workshops are planned throughout 2015.

Banners for Support Groups Banners, business cards and letterheads have now been provided to support groups.

This is a great resource for the network to assist in promoting the groups to their communities and for awareness events.

News from around the country WA A new prostate cancer support group has been established in Collie. The group

had their first meeting on 11 February.

Group leaders, Mun and Gloria Lye led the meeting with the assistance of Emilia Hay, WA Support Group and Outreach Coordinator. Health professionals also in attendance included Radiation Oncologist, Siddhartha Baxi from the Bunbury region, new Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse, Kaye Pedretti and the South West Cancer Clinical nurse, Megan McDermott.

All present explained their role to the attendees and offered to promote and support the group.

NSW/ACT PCFA and the Rotary Club of Young, hosted a men’s health evening at the Young Services Club in November 2014.

The event featured presentations from local GP, Dr Tom Douch, Bronwyn Inch and Evan Kallipolitis, NSW/ACT Support Group and Outreach Coordinator.

Bronwyn spoke about her role as a Chapter Councillor for PCFA, while Evan

spoke about the benefits of joining a support group. The evening was an opportunity for local community members to share their cancer experiences with many stating how they would have benefited from being part of a support group at their time of diagnosis. Members of Young District Hospital also attended and supported the event.

QLD The reach of the Support Network continues to expand into rural areas of Queensland, with the establishment of two new support groups in the Lockyer Valley and Southern Downs region. The Gatton and Stanthorpe Cancer Support Groups represent two of Queensland’s fastest growing regional areas and Miff Pate, QLD Support Group and Outreach Coordinator and Daryl Hyland, Volunteer Support Services Coordinator and Chapter Councillor, are pleased to have been involved in assisting with the formation

Emilia Hay and members of the WA Collie Prostate Cancer Support Group

World Cancer Day morning tea: Back row – Tracey Cullen, Rob Coulthard (Gay Melbourne PCSG), John Strachan. Front row - Dorothy Yiu (Chinese Cancer Society of Victoria Cancer Support Group), Amanda Pomery, Tania Samartza (Clayton Greek Speaking Cancer Group)

Banners for Support Groups

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ADVOCACY

of these support groups.

MRI in Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostate Cancer MRI is increasingly being used in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Potentially it could be a game changer, providing more accurate diagnosis than biopsy and avoiding the need for repeat biopsies for men on active surveillance.

It would also eliminate sepsis from TRUS biopsies, which although rare, occurs in approximately 1% to 2% of procedures.

Advocates for its adoption as standard clinical practice claim that multi-parametric MRI is already capable of accurate diagnosis. Others suggest that whilst it shows great promise, further research is required before MRI scans could be offered more routinely to men with an abnormal PSA. The cost, which is of the order of $500 to $700, is not currently reimbursed and there is a strong desire in the PCFA community for us to advocate for an MBS item number. This would mean that patients would no longer have to pay for prostate MRIs. In order to understand the current evidence relating to the use of multi-parametric MRI in diagnosis of prostate cancer, PCFA is conducting a systematic review of the

scientific and medical literature in partnership with Cancer Council Australia.

We will continue to review the literature as new evidence emerges.

PCFA is also participating in a multidisciplinary effort to obtain an MBS item number(s) for prostate MRI in partnership with the Department of Health, Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand and The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists. It is expected that an item number(s) will take approximately two years to obtain.

You don’t have to have cancer to fight cancer You can be part of the Cancer Council Victoria’s newly launched Australian Breakthrough Cancer (ABC) Study!

The ABC Study is looking for Australian residents aged between 40-74 years, who have never had cancer, other than non-melanoma skin cancer. It will investigate the role that our genes, lifestyle and environment play in the development of cancer and other disease.

Researchers are particularly interested in hearing from people who have a family history of cancer.

This study aims to recruit one of the largest ever Australian research groups, with over 50,000 participants needed!

The ABC Study involves an online questionnaire and a saliva sample sent via the post. The questionnaire asks about things such as family history, diet and lifestyle. We hope this information will provide breakthroughs leading to more individualised cancer prevention, screening and treatment.

You can also assist us by spreading the word about this important project.

The more people taking part in this study, the more we’ll be able to learn.

To register or learn more, visit: www.abcstudy.com.au

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FUNDRAISING

FUNDRAISING

All Fired Up for prostate cancer This year PCFA is once again asking Australians who are holding a barbie to make it a Big Aussie Barbie. When you next hold a barbie help us to raise awareness of prostate cancer by encouraging the guys over 50 to talk to their doctors about being tested at their next health check up and ask your guests to donate to PCFA to enable us to provide information and support to the 120,000 men and their families living with prostate cancer.

amazing team at The Long Ride for getting their mates together and making their Australia Day BBQ an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer.

Well done, guys.

Promotion of the 2015 Big Aussie Barbie campaign kicked off over the Australia Day long weekend, via Facebook and Twitter. Special thanks must go to the

State Big Aussie Barbie events will be held once again this year in September to mark International Prostate Cancer Awareness Month:

CFA Hampton Park Fire Brigade

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The CFA Hampton Park Fire Brigade in Victoria also decided to make their April barbeque a Big Aussie Barbie. A massive thank you must go to all those involved in thinking about raising those precious funds for PCFA! Your support is greatly appreciated.

QLD – Wednesday 2nd September (King George Square, Brisbane) VIC – Thursday 3rd September (Treasury Gardens, Melbourne) WA – Friday 4th September (Central Park, Perth) SA – Friday 4th September (The East End, Adelaide) NSW – Thursday 10th September (Wynyard Park) Stay tuned for more Big Aussie Barbie updates throughout the year and remember, if you’re already having a barbie, why not make yours a Big Aussie Barbie?

PARTNERSHIPS

Blue safety workwear launched to support fight against prostate cancer PCFA and RWW Group have teamed up to launch the Blue Gear safety workwear range to raise vital funds and awareness about prostate cancer.

RWW Group manufactures and supplies workwear and safety products for Australia’s male dominated industries mining, transport, civil and construction.

The Blue Gear range includes blue high-vis shirts, safety vests, hardhats, polo shirts and other workwear items. A dollar portion of each Blue Gear item sold will be donated to PCFA. RWW Group General Manager Anthony Firth is proud to be working with PCFA. “Aussie men need our support. Many will have been affected by prostate cancer personally or know someone who has.

Getting behind PCFA and the Blue Gear safety range is a great, practical way to generate vital funds and help raise awareness of this male cancer killer.”

RWW 1800 637 098

www.bluegear.com.au

Quickbeds Grassroots Fundraising Program We are pleased to announce that Quickbeds are donating $10, $25 or even $50 to PCFA each time you book accommodation online at www.quickbeds.com Quickbeds guarantees the best rates for hotels, resorts, motels, serviced apartments and more. Quickbeds is part

of the Flight Centre Travel Group, Australia’s largest travel company.

So start searching for your perfect hotel online at www.quickbeds.com.

Visit www.quickbeds.com and quote the grassroots code: 1030 14

FUNDRAISING