Blue September – time to get that prostate check!

It’s Blue September again and the Prostate Cancer Foundation is getting the message out to Kiwi men to get checked for prostate cancer. Research shows that our rural men in New Zealand are not good at getting checked. That needs to change. Early detection is the key. With 1 in 8 men getting prostate cancer, diagnosing the disease early, and getting effective treatment saves lives. That’s the central message this Blue September. And don’t wait for symptoms. A recent survey has shown that 61% of men diagnosed had no symptoms, so getting a routine check is very important. Farmlands have joined the fight against prostate cancer this year as Blue September sponsors, and along with AGPAC supplying blue silage wrap, want to make sure our rural men take notice and go and get checked. Up and down the country people are organising ‘‘Blue Dos’’. Farmers, tradies, workmates and radio hosts are all getting in on the act. You can check out the website for upcoming events and get ideas for your own Blue Do. Perhaps you fancy a blue breakfast, a blue BBQ or a blueberry bake off? Or organise a Blue Friday like many workplaces organise. It really gets people involved in dressing up, preparing some novelty food, and focuses on awareness of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the number one cancer in Kiwi men and over 600 die from it every year. It doesn’t need to be that way. Jason Gunn has joined the great team of Blue September Ambassadors - he tells how his Dad was diagnosed with the disease and how hard it was to talk about it, and what the prospects might be. Fortunately for them the outcome was good. Family members can be a great incentive and encouragement for the men in their family to go to the GP and get a check. Don’t leave it to the men – they are often a bit slack in looking after their health. If they won’t go to get a check themselves, make an appointment and get them along. Find out more information and register for a ‘Blue Do’ at www.blueseptember.org.nz