Rotary on the front foot to fight prostate cancer IT’S THE OLD STORY OF EARLY DETECTION OR YOU’RE DONE.

THE Red Socks army is out in force to curb Townsville’s alarming increase of advanced prostate cancer rates.

Men from the Rotary Club of Townsville Sunrise yesterday banded together to push their local prostate cancer awareness campaign, Project Red Socks, after local urologists revealed a near two- fold increase in the number of men presenting with the cancer since GPs stopped routine screening five years ago.

“It’s the old story of early detection or you’re done. Unfortunately, men act a bit tough and they don’t see it as a manly thing to discuss their prostate health,” Project Red Socks co- ordinator Brian Richardson said.

“But the facts need to be out there.

“One in seven men will get prostate cancer — some with no symptoms — and we now know that doctors have differing views on testing. So men are falling through the cracks.”

Project Red Socks started in 2014 after long- time Townsville Rotarian Dennis Denmead lost his life to aggressive prostate cancer. The club found only 40 per cent of the 80 male members aged over 50 had ever been tested.

“We offered them a pair of red socks if they got tested, because Dennis was a keen Arsenal football fan, so he only ever wore red socks.

“We had 98 per cent of men tested and one in nine had an indication of prostate cancer,” Mr Richardson said.

Those diagnosed are now being monitored or treated, but it was club member Peter Heuke, 77, who can without a doubt say his life was saved by the red socks.

After his friend Mr Denmead died, his older brother was also diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer.

But sadly he waited long to treat it, despite playing symptoms.

“I got tested every six months because I had a very thorough urologist,” Mr Heuke said. “But the red socks sat in my sock drawer as a constant reminder to talk to my doctor. Three years on I’ve had treatment and I’m enjoying my retirement with my wife of 20 years.” too dis-

The Townsville- based Project Red Socks is now an international prostate cancer awareness campaign throughout Rotary, and members have distributed 1500 information kits, each with a pair of red socks, throughout Australia and New Zealand.

However, they would like to see Townsville’s corporate sector and wider community get involved.

The Project Red Socks team are available to present workshops, and information kits with a pair of red socks are available for $ 10 each.

For more information email redsocks@ townsville sunriserotary. org. au.