A retired Victoria Police detective is encouraging men, particularly rural men, to have their prostate checked for cancer.
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Richard Stevens was diagnosed with prostate cancer four years ago despite regular tests. His father also had the disease.
The 71-year-old, whose cancer is terminal, is committed to sending a message to men aged over 40 to speak to their doctor about being tested for prostate cancer.
He said more men died of prostate cancer than women died of breast cancer and a visit to the GP could save a man’s life.
“It’s an ordinary visit to your GP for a digital examination and a blood test. It’s not painful, it’s possibly embarrassing but it could save your life,” Mr Stevens said.
Mr Stevens has leant his voice to a series of videos highlighting the unique challenges rural men face when it comes to prostate cancer.
Men living in regional and rural Australia are up to 21 per cent more likely to die of prostate cancer than their metropolitan counterparts.
Mr Stevens was living at Raglan and travelled 145 kilometres a day, five days a week for eight weeks for treatment at Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre.
He is approaching his cancer in a positive way, saying feeling sorry for yourself was not the way to deal with it.
“You can get on with your life and make sure whatever is left of your life, you’re going to damn-well enjoy,” Mr Stevens said.
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia with the support of New Holland Agriculture produced the YouTube videos. Both are committed to achieving better prostate cancer outcomes for rural men.
PCFA CEO Associate Professor Anthony Lowe said it was time for men, particularly those living in regional areas like Ballarat, to take the issue of prostate cancer more seriously.
“Many people are surprised to learn that prostate cancer kills more Australian men than breast cancer kills Australian women. That’s not to draw a comparison between two but just to point out to men that prostate cancer is that serious a health issue,” Associate Professor Lowe said..
“PCFA recommends that men over the age of 50, or over the age of 40 if they have a family history of prostate cancer, speak to their doctor about being tested for prostate cancer at their next health check.”
Many men report feeling alone on their cancer journey, a problem for men in regional and rural Australia.
PCFA’s goal is that every man diagnosed will have access to dedicated nursing support, as as Mr Stevens has on his prostate cancer journey.
Sadly, two out of three men diagnosed across the country are currently going without the life-changing support of an expert nurse.