The ‘prostate cancer’ conversation isn’t an easy one to have. Close to 20,000 Australian men are diagnosed every year. Around 120,000 men are currently living with the disease and every Aussie bloke has a one in seven chance of getting prostate cancer by age 75.
With statistics like these, it is concerning that many men still don’t talk to their doctor about their risk because they believe “it won’t happen to me”, right? While it may be easier to avoid testing, prostate cancer is a very real danger to thousands of Australian men, which makes awareness and the ‘prostate cancer conversation’ more important then ever.
So how do you have that hard – but necessary- conversation with the men in your life?
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month and Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCFA) is celebrating with their annual BIG AUSSIE BARBIE fundraiser. The campaign encourages Australians to get together with friends and family and host their own Big Aussie Barbies. Each BBQ helps raise much-needed funds that allow for PCFA to continue their valuable work throughout Australia.
Surrounded by the people you love the most, the Big Aussie Barbie also offers a fantastic opportunity to put the prostate cancer conversation front and centre in a casual, non-confronting way. This conversation can then be used to encourage men over 50, or over 40 with a family history, to talk to their doctor about being tested at their next health check-up.
Matthew Hayden takes to his barbie to raise awareness for prostate cancer
Prostate cancer may be a ‘man’s disease’, but it affects us all! We all have beloved grandfathers and fathers, brothers, uncles and even sons– all of whom we can’t imagine a life without. The risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age; in fact, by age 85 men have an overwhelming 20 per cent chance of developing the disease – that’s 20 per cent higher than it should be.
But it isn’t all bad news! Researchers are working tirelessly to find ways to reduce the impact of the disease. In fact, PCFA strongly believes that continued fundraising to support this research is the key to producing the first generation of men to not die from prostate cancer. That is amazing news!
This years’ Big Aussie Barbie fundraising goal of $1 million will go to helping PCFA continue to invest in ground-breaking research projects, including its newly establish Prostate Cancer Nursing Program. Funds will also go towards implementing more awareness campaigns and education programs and towards supporting families affected by prostate cancer. When you sign up your Big Aussie Barbie HERE you’ll receive a welcome kit that will help you plan your very own Big Aussie Barbie.
Spring is just around the corner, which means warmer weather, longer (sunnier) days and more opportunities to grab the grill, get outside and host your own Big Aussie Barbie. What better way to show the men in your life that you care? This September, your BBQ could save a life.
How can you get involved?
– Visit this website and sign up your barbecue.
– Invite friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues to come along to your Big Aussie Barbie.
– Collect donations (no matter how big or small) to help support and sustain PCFA’s research, awareness and support services.
– Follow PCFA’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get all the latest Big Aussie Barbie news.
– Inspire others by sharing your own Big Aussie Barbie photos (don’t forget to include #bigaussiebarbie).
– Remember to serve lean meats, fresh salads and vegetables and keep the consumption of processed meats and alcohol to a minimum.
– Encourage men over 50, or over 40 with a family history, to talk to their doctor about being tested at their next health check-up.
This is a sponsored post by PCFA. All opinions expressed by the author are authentic and written in their own words.
