Businessmen put hands up for sake of cancer research
Men’s health is far too often a topic that stays in the dark – and a group of Toowoomba business identities are determined to change that GEN KENNEDY spoke to Toowoomba business identities John Wagner and Gary Gardner to find out their personal motivation
Guys don’t want to talk about that sort of stuff, and they should. Women can go to doctors and have pap smears and mammograms and talk openly about it.
— John Wagner
GARY Gardner and John Wagner know that when it comes to men’s health, out of sight can be out of mind.
It’s the kind of attitude that could have been fatal for them.
Both Mr Gardner and Mr Wagner were diagnosed with prostate cancer within the last five years, and neither had any symptoms. In each case, the cancer, which kills eight Australian men every day, was picked up early on.
The men’s experiences inspired them, along with Toowoomba business identities Mark Crampton, Michael Hubbard and John Fitzgibbons, to put on an event that would raise some serious funds for prostate cancer research.
The result is the Easternwell ‘It’s a Bloke Thing’ luncheon on Tuesday, now in its third year.
Mr Wagner said his own experience with prostate cancer had shown just how important early detection of the disease is.
“My experience was I didn’t have a symptom at all – I went in for a routine check up because I was turning 50,” he said.
“They found a tumour, which was a very aggressive tumour.
“I had surgery six weeks later, and for all intents and purposes it’s a full cure.
“When there’s actually nothing wrong with you, and you find out that you’ve got an aggressive cancer growing inside of you, it’s obviously disconcerting.”
Mr Wagner said one of the biggest barriers to break down in improving the mortality rate for prostate cancer was the attitude among many men.
“Guys don’t want to talk about that sort of stuff, and they should.
“Women can go to doctors and have pap smears and mammograms and talk openly about it, and guys don’t talk about it. “It’s all about early detection.” The luncheon, which Mr Wagner said came about “over a glass of red wine”, has raised in excess of $220,000 for cancer research and treatment over the last two years.
This year, the total is expected to be close to $300,000, which will support the PA Research Foundation and the Men’s Health Program at Toowoomba Hospital.
Mr Gardner’s own battle with prostate cancer was not the only thing spurring him to join the luncheon committee – his father also had cancer, and died prematurely.
Mr Gardner said his father’s loss had made him more aware of his own health.
“My father died when he was 51. He was the youngest of 11, the baby of the family,” he said.
“He was the first to die at 51, the rest lived til their 80s and 90s. He had bowel cancer.
“My cancer was caught at a very early stage.
“It needs to come more out in the open.”
The sold-out Easternwell “It’s a Bloke Thing” luncheon takes place on Tuesday, August 27.
To donate to the cause, please contact Wagners, FK Gardner & Sons, Toowoomba Holden, Fitzy’s on Church, MJH Advisory or ANZ Business Banking.