Taking time out from their daily lives, they will be promoting awareness and support for prostate cancer through a Family Fun Day event at Tuncurry’s John Wright Park. 

The Great Lakes and Manning Prostate Support Groups have organised the Fathers Day event featuring special guest Angry Anderson, with the help of the wider community who have jumped on board to support a cause which helps those touched by a cancer claiming the lives of 3000 Australian me every year (see more about this event on page 31). 

Every year, around 18,700 Australian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. 

One such man is Great Lakes prostate cancer survivor Robin Evans, who is living proof of the importance of early detection.

 “Fortunately, I’ve always been very vigilant with my health, and have been getting checked regularly since I was 40,” Mr Evans said. 

“The genetics for prostate cancer are in my family. But still, I decided to have another check-up only six months after my last healthy report, and surprisingly my levels were up. It turns out that I am one of those men who have no signs of symptoms, but when it comes on, it comes on fast. My mother’s four brothers all died of prostate cancer.”

Mr Evans, now 64, did not hesitate in his choice to have his prostate removed, there are numerous options available to prostate cancer patients, all of which are discussed by doctors with their patients. However, since his operation, it is the support service offered within the locally grown Great Lakes Prostate Support Group which Mr Evans has found invaluable. 

“I wanted to find out if we were all thinking the same things, or if I was a loner, or abnormal. Some people won’t talk about it,” he said. “But within half an hour of being there, my wife and I had learnt so much. We talk about serious things, such as incontinence and sexual dysfunction, and learn to laugh about them.”

Similarly, Peter Lindwall from the newly formed Manning Prostate Support Group was so encouraged by the idea of the support group, he became one of its first volunteer coordinators, organising amongst other tasks, the special guests for each meeting. 

“It’s a reminder about why I retired,” he said. “It takes a fair bit of organising, but it’s a great way for people to get reliable information and to hear each other’s stories.”

Peter first realised the importance of sharing stories in the waiting room at Port Macquarie Hospital.

For seven weeks he drove from Wingham to Port Macquarie to have radiation treatment, after he had his prostate removed. There he joined a waiting room full of men, all there for the same reason. 

“Some man will be brave enough to say ‘this is what’s happening to me’, and one story turns into twelve stories! There are so many different treatments, which are changing all the time. It’s important to have the right information. Our support group has focused more on incontinence at this stage, I think because it can be easier to fix. But we really need to start discussing erectile dysfunction.”

Proper diet and exercise can help lower the risk of contracting prostate cancer, but there is no ultimate protection.

Men who have a family history of prostate cancer are encouraged to have regular checkups once they turn 40.

The Great Lakes Prostate Support Group meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 6.30pm at the Memorial Club in Tuncurry.

The Manning Prostate Support Group meets on the last Thursday of the month at 2pm at Club Taree.