With one man diagnosed every 22 minutes, prostate cancer is now the leading cause of cancer in the ACT, with more than 3,300 men in the ACT alive today after a diagnosis.
Ahead of Men's Health Week, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) has teamed up with ACT Health to promote PCFA's MatesCONNECT service, to improve outcomes for newly diagnosed men.
PCFA CEO Anne Savage, urged men to access the life-changing service.
"MatesCONNECT links newly diagnosed men with survivors, who help new patients understand their treatment options and any side-effects," she said.
"The program is made possible through funding by the ACT Government and is available for men across the state to access at any point during their treatment.
"Ahead of Men's Health Week we're also urging the community to support men and families who have been affected by taking part in our Perfect Match campaign, which will raise funds for research to help us beat the disease."
Men's Health Week will run from June 12-18.
ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the MatesCONNECT peer support model helps reduce the mental health risks - such as depression and anxiety - which is more common among men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
"The number of men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in the ACT is increasing, which is why the MatesCONNECT program and Perfect Match campaign are so important," the Minister said.
"Ageing is one of the greatest risk factors for prostate cancer, so men over the age of 50, or those with a family history of prostate cancer, should talk to their doctor about prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing for prostate cancer as part of their regular health check-ups."
The program is managed by PCFA and delivered by volunteers who have experienced prostate cancer and are at least 12-months on from their initial diagnosis and treatment.
According to ACT Health data, cancer is one of the greatest burdens of disease in the region.
"Prostate cancer is a major health burden for men in the ACT," Ms Savage said.
"The good news is that thanks to advances in early detection and treatment, more men are surviving the disease.
"Of the 2,041 new cases of cancer diagnosed in ACT residents in 2019, more men (53.3%) than women were diagnosed (46.7%), and around one-third of these were prostate cancer.
"We'd welcome community action and engagement to support men during Men's Health Week."
Men can access the service or volunteer by calling 1800 22 00 99.
To join PCFA's Perfect Match, go to www.perfect match.org.au.
MatesCONNECT is proudly supported by the ACT Government under the ACT Health Promotion Grants Program.
