The Chronicle

Men urged to get it checked

Men’s health road show

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MEN don’t like to talk about their health – but that’s something Toowoomba Hospital Foundation chief executive office Peter Rookas wants to change.

Mr Rookas was at the It’s A Bloke Thing men’s health road show on August 20 and encouraged Toowoomba men to go to their doctors.

“The road show came about after John Wagner got prostate cancer. It sparked him to want to do something to help the Mater Hospital for all they did for him,” Mr Rookas said.

So Mr Wagner got together with his friends and the Toowoomba community and held a lunch to raise money. A few years later that lunch turned into the It’s A Bloke Thing men’s health road show.

The road show visited various places around the Toowoomba region with a free informatio­n sessions on the top issues affecting men’s health – cardiovasc­ular disease, cancer (in particular prostate cancer), diabetes, smoking and mental health.

“It’s a different story with guys; we just don’t talk about it,” Mr Rookas said.

“So we’re saying suck it up and go to the doctor and get checked.”

Former rugby league and State of Origin star Kerry Boustead was the guest speaker at this year’s event.

If you want to know more about the road show, go to www.ddswmedica­relocal.com.au/blokes.

 ?? PHOTOS: NEV MADSEN ?? IT’S A BLOKE THING: Justin (left) and Jon Schulz enjoy the road show about men’s health.
PHOTOS: NEV MADSEN IT’S A BLOKE THING: Justin (left) and Jon Schulz enjoy the road show about men’s health.
 ??  ?? Toowoomba men Brad Mackay (left) and Scott Greener learn about men’s health.
Toowoomba men Brad Mackay (left) and Scott Greener learn about men’s health.
 ??  ?? Enjoying the road show are (from left) John Fitzgibbon­s, Kerry Boustead, John Wagner and Mark Crampton.
Enjoying the road show are (from left) John Fitzgibbon­s, Kerry Boustead, John Wagner and Mark Crampton.
 ??  ?? Peter Rookas (left) and John Fitzgibbon­s attend the road show.
Peter Rookas (left) and John Fitzgibbon­s attend the road show.

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