Blue September means prostate cancer drive

Across Aotearoa New Zealand this year, 4000 men will be told they have prostate cancer, making it this country’s most diagnosed cancer.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand (PCFNZ) is committed to being the voice of more than 42,000 men living with the disease in New Zealand, advocating on their behalf for better health outcomes today and for future generations.

This year, Blue September hopes to raise in excess of $1 million, which goes towards providing essential wrap around support services for men and their families living with prostate cancer.

‘‘Every year we are blown away by the support we receive from across New Zealand during Blue September,’’ says Peter Dickens, chief executive of PCFNZ.

‘‘Without the passion and commitment shown to us by our Blue September community, we would not be able to provide the services that patients and those close to them rely on every day across Aotearoa New Zealand.’’

Funds raised are used for research into the disease and its impact, to create awareness through education and outreach programmes, and to advocate for better access to diagnosis and treatments.

‘‘Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in New Zealand but if it’s caught early, it is also treatable.

‘‘It’s extremely frustrating and should be an issue of national concern that despite all evidence pointing to early detection and appropriate treatment making the difference between life and death, methods of detecting the disease, treatments and medicines for prostate cancer patients that are considered standard and funded in other countries are severely limited here, or even nonexistent outside of the main centres,’’ Dickens says.

‘‘Inequities are also painfully evident, as the figures clearly show that tāne Māori diagnosed with prostate cancer experience a disproportionately higher death rate than other New Zealand men.

‘‘It’s unnecessary and we should all find it unacceptable.’’

‘‘The 42,000 men currently living with prostate cancer in New Zealand are not just a statistic, they are all dads, sons, grandads, and best mates who do not deserve to have the opportunity to share in the lives of their families and those around them taken away far too soon, when an achievable alternative exists.

‘‘The social impact of this disease is immeasurable and we’re in danger of losing a generation of men to prostate cancer without a co-ordinated national approach. We’re indebted to the people that take part in a Blue Do on our behalf – thank you, no idea is too small, too wacky, or too blue.’’

executive’ Peter Dickens, PCFNZ chief

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SOMETHING BLUE THIS SEPTEMBER

■ Visit blueseptember.org.nz

■ Blue September is the annual awareness and fundraising campaign for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand charity.