Prostate News - Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

SEPT 2011
issue 47
PCFA welcomes
Qantas Sponsorship
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On the 28th July, Qantas unveiled a brand new 737-800 jet with PCFA.The PCFA blue ribbon “P” is now flying
across Australia to raise awareness for men to speak to their doctor about being tested for prostate cancer.
Qantas is the proud airline sponsor
of PCFA’s Prostate Cancer Specialist
Nursing Program. They have provided
sponsored flight assistance for the
nurses who will be employed on
the program to travel to receive
education and training over a three
year period to formalise their
training as a specialist nurse.
Over the next three years, the
Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing
Program will focus on recruiting up
to 15 nurses in both metropolitan
and regional Australia to provide
men who have prostate cancer with
clinical and supportive care. The
nurses will act as an expert point of
contact for patients and their families
during the entire cycle of care – from
diagnosis to post treatment support.
The Movember Foundation has
generously provided $2.5million
of funding for the first part of the
program. Additional funds are still
needed and PCFA is now calling on the
Australian community and corporate
Australia to provide support so
the program can grow and secure
more nurses across Australia.
The launch of the jet attracted
many media representatives to
hear Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce,
speak about the importance of
prostate cancer testing as well as
his personal journey with prostate
cancer following recent surgery.
continues on page 4
National
Board
Chairman
Graeme Johnson
Deputy Chairman
David Sandoe OAM
Finance Director
Chris Hall
Research
Professor John Mills (Chairman)
Awareness & Education
Dr David Malouf (Chairman)
A/Prof Phillip Stricker (Education
Sub-Committee Chairman)
Support and Advocacy
David Gregory (Chairman)
Marketing and Sponsorship
Steve Callister (Chairman)
Rotary
John Palmer
State Chairmen
Tony Sonneveld OAM (NSW/ACT)
Des Grogan (VIC/TAS)
Roz Baker (WA)
Jim Hughes (QLD)
Professor Villis Marshall AC (SA/NT)
Director
Patricia Watson
Observer
Peter Gebert
2 | PROSTATE NEWS
Message from the CEO
Our network
of over 110
prostate
cancer
support
groups
is at the
very heart
of everything we do at
PCFA. So, it gives me
great pleasure to welcome
John Friedsam as our new
Manager, Support Groups.
John joins PCFA from Cancer Council
NSW where he was Support Services
Manager with responsibility for 300
support groups, telephone support
groups and Cancer Connections
(online supportive care).
John is passionate about men’s health and
he is joining PCFA at a very exciting time.
Earlier this year the Federal Government
announced $3.9 million of funding over
three years to PCFA through Cancer
Australia. The funding will be used to
strengthen our existing network of
support groups through resources and
training; to establish new support groups
with a focus on men in regional and
rural areas; to develop evidence-based
fact sheets and educational resources
for men to navigate the cancer patient
journey; and to create an internet-
based communications hub for support
groups using social networking tools.
John’s passion, enthusiasm and
experience will be invaluable in guiding
the development and roll out of these
new resources. Please join me in giving
John a very warm PCFA welcome.
September is International Prostate
Cancer Awareness Month and we have
great fundraising and awareness activities
planned. Our main fundraising activity,
The Big Aussie Barbie 2011, kicked off
with the world’s longest BBQ marathon
team event in Cathedral Square, Sydney,
on 1st September (see story on page
3). I’d like to express our appreciation
and thanks to Commonwealth Bank
for their support as major sponsor
of the Big Aussie Barbie 2011.
Many other events and activities
are planned across Australia during
September. For more information, visit
prostate.org.au. By hosting a Big Aussie
Barbie fundraiser this September you
will enable PCFA to continue to invest in
world leading research, raising awareness
of prostate cancer and supporting men
and their families affected by the disease.
So, as Dame Edna says, get your tongs
out and keep your sausage sizzling!
September is set to Sizzle…
September is the start of
spring, footy grand finals,
Father’s Day, and time to dust
off your Barbie! By hosting a
Big Aussie Barbie and raising
funds for PCFA you will
enable us to continue to invest
in world leading research,
raising awareness of prostate
cancer and supporting
men and their families
affected by the disease.
Prostate cancer is the most common
cancer in Australian men and the
second most common cause of male
cancer deaths. This year almost 20,000
Australian men will be diagnosed
with prostate cancer and 3,300 men
will die of the disease. What is not
commonly understood is that men
can be diagnosed with prostate
cancer as early as in their forties.
The September barbecue campaign
was launched nationally on the 1st of
September by PCFA’s major sponsor,
Commonwealth Bank. Held in Sydney’s
Cathedral Square, the Commonweath
Bank and PCFA were the “longest
BBQ marathon team” barbecuing
tasty treats for 26.5 hours straight!
The long haul event was frequented
by PCFA celebrity supporters, media
recording the record breaking
progress and hundreds of PCFA and
CBA volunteers and supporters. The
event was a great effort by all and
finally wound up at 9am on the 2nd of
September, entering the Guinness Book
of Records as the World’s Longest BBQ.
PCFA has a number of events on around
the country during September, aimed
to encourage Australians to get behind
our cause and get cooking on the
BBQ to raise money and awareness.
You can help support PCFA’s work by
visiting our website and registering
your own “Big Aussie Barbie” in
September, prostate.org.au
Commonwealth Bank continue their support
Commonwealth Bank
continue their support for
PCFA as major sponsor
of the national fundraising
campaign in September.
Their ongoing support
sees many teams across
the country raising funds
and awareness for PCFA.
The monies raised by CBA are used
to assist men and their families
living with prostate cancer. Funds
are injected into areas such as travel
assistance, so patients can travel from
regional location to metro cities
across the country for treatment.
CBA hosted an opera fundraiser
performance in July at the Sydney
Opera House raising $11,000
to boost the income for the
patient support scheme.
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PROSTATE NEWS | 3
PCFA welcomes
Qantas Sponsorship (continued from cover)
Mr Joyce said Qantas was extremely
proud to be associated with Prostate
Cancer Foundation of Australia.
“Qantas is honoured to be supporting
Australia’s first specialist prostate cancer
nurses who will play a vital role for those
affected either directly or indirectly
by prostate cancer,” Mr Joyce said.
“Earlier this year I was tested and
discovered that I had an aggressive
form of prostate cancer. I was able
to have an operation quickly and was
back at work within a few weeks.”
“I’m really proud to be involved
in this initiative which is all about
getting nurses across the country
and supporting them in their
vital work,” Mr Swan said.
“As a survivor of prostate cancer,
a great passion of mine in life is to
bring greater awareness to blokes
who are most at risk. The reality
is if it weren’t for early detection
nearly ten years ago, there is every
chance I couldn’t be here today.”
As part of a new partnership with
PCFA, Qantas will also help to build
awareness of prostate cancer with
passengers through advertising, in-flight
announcements and on-board messaging.
For September, Qantas is promoting
PCFA’s fundraising initiative, “The Big
Aussie Barbie’ with an inflight commercial
and an article in The Australian Way.
PCFA’s greatly acknowledges the
support of Qantas. Look out for the
blue ribbon P flying through the sky!
“My doctor told me that there was
an 80 per cent chance that I would
have been dead within 10 years if it
hadn’t been detected when it was.
I consider myself to be one of the
lucky ones and would encourage all
men over 40 to be tested regularly.”
“Around 60 per cent of Qantas’ 35,000
workforce is made up of men, particularly
men over 40, so we will also be helping
to raise awareness within the company.”
Federal Treasurer,The Hon Wayne
Swan was also in attendance and
emphasised the importance of corporate
Australia in recognising PCFA’s work
for this all too common disease.
John Friedsam - Manager, Support Groups
John
Friedsam
moved to
Australia
from the USA
in 2001 to
pursue post
graduate
study in applied psychology,
concentrating on
oncology group work
as his specialty area.
Since 2003, John has held varied positions
with Cancer Council NSW. Most recently,
since 2009, John was the Support Services
Manager, overseeing a suite of supportive
4 | PROSTATE NEWS
care delivery services such as;Telephone
Support Groups (TSG),The Cancer
Support Group Network (CSGN) of
NSW and Cancer Connections Online.
Career highlights include developing
a budding TSG program into one that
delivers in excess of 225 groups per
annum, using technology to reach isolated
and under supported cancer patients.
During this time technology based
outreach via the Cancer Connections
website grew to over 50,000 visits per
year.With the CSGN, John managed
a systematic review of the program’s
engagement with over 300 support groups
in NSW – assessing how to best allocate
organisational resources in the support
of group leaders to ensure best practice
standards for the participants. John also
managed the growth of all three programs
working nationally with sister Cancer
Councils and other peak body charities.
John is experienced in group work,
best practice standards, sustainability in
service delivery and the development,
support and training of an eclectic blend
of cancer support group leaders.
“As a health professional passionate
about support, group work and
men’s health – I am extremely
excited by the opportunity to
work with PCFA, to harness the
already rich experience of the
organisation’s support group history
and to fully utilise the generous new
funding from Cancer Australia.”
Yvette Sullivan recipient of Barry Collins Awards
In September 2010,Yvette
Sullivan, recipient of the Barry
Collins Nursing Internship
Grant, travelled to London
to take up a host placement
at Homerton University
Hospital.The purpose of
Yvette’s visit was to increase
her knowledge of prostate
cancer; observe how other
institutions approach multiprofessional diagnostic
treatment support for men
with prostate cancer; and to
record how nurse-led clinics
are structured to enable
access and continuity of
care of a service within an
acceptable period of time.
The urology section at Homerton
University Hospital has three consultant
surgeons, one clinical oncologist, three
registrars, one house officer, one nurse
specialist for benign urology and one
Uro-oncology nurse practitioner. The
Uro-oncology nurse practitioner runs
nurse services in haematuria, PSA
monitoring, rapid access TRUS and
biopsy, prostate cancer follow-ups,
bone metastases and bisphosphonate
treatments.
During her stay,Yvette was able to
reflect on how practice in the UK
supports improved patient access to
services and care. Some observations
include; the development of national
guidelines for suspected urological
cancer; an efficient system for referral of
patients with a suspected malignancy to
specialist services; investment in nurses
who have urology experience that can
see patients who require education;
monitoring and ongoing support, thus
freeing up consultants time for more
complex care.
Yvette’s comparison with UK and
Australian practice is that in reality there
are few urology nurse practitioners in
Australia, and those that are employed
see patients with many presenting
urological problems other than prostate
cancer. Hence, the nurse practitioner
is required to have a broad knowledge
of urological conditions. The use of
nurses specialising in prostate cancer
as observed in her visit to Homerton
University Hospital is effective for timely
patient care and can only be encouraged.
PCFA’s initiative to support
prostate cancer nurses
throughout Australia is
applauded and supported.
The models of care used in
the UK for prostate cancer
nurses is a valid starting
point for Australia to build
upon and adapt to the
needs of Australian men
and their families.
Men teaching men’s health
Male Clinical Teaching associates (MCTAs) are a specialised type of Standardised Patient
who undergo intimate physical examinations by medical students and provide instruction
and feedback. The principal aim of the program was to provide a safe and structured
learning environment in which students could acquire the basic skills of men’s intimate
examination, in particular the digital rectal examination (DRE).
The Male Clinical Teaching associates
program at the University of Tasmania
School of Medicine was conceived in
2010 during which time 20 men were
recruited from the local community
and trained in preparation for
student teaching to commence in
2011. Funding of the pilot program
was provided by Movember, through
PCFA’s Research Program.
At the same time, Dr Christine Fairbank
had been working on a project that
is aimed at better educating medical
students so that they are both confident
and competent in their ability and
approach within men’s health. One of
her aims is to teach students a “patient
centred” model of performing a rectal
examination – an essential skill for them
to have if the morbidity and mortality
from prostate cancer is to improve.
A number of external stimuli
prompted this initiative. Men’s Health
and Cancer Screening have become
national health priorities. Agencies
such as Andrology Australia have been
engaged by Government to devise
a basic Men’s Health curriculum to
be implemented by Medical Schools
throughout the country. At the same
time, prostate cancer has gained an
increased public health focus. While
there remains controversy regarding
the benefits of population screening,
current evidence dictates that early
diagnosis is best established by a
combination of the prostate-specific
continues on page 6
PROSTATE NEWS | 5
Men teaching men’s health (continued from page 5)
y,
L-R: Krista Minzenma
and
tor
ina
ord
CTA Co
,
Dr Christine Fairbank
or
ect
Dir
m
gra
Pro
CTA
antigen (PSA) blood test and a DRE.
It is therefore important that medical
graduates be adequately skilled in this
technique. However, recent studies
from Ireland1 and Australia2 have
reported considerable deficiencies
in undergraduate experience, largely
due to difficulties in achieving an
appropriate learning environment.
Evaluation of Year 3 medical students in
2010, as part of the existing Women’s
CTA program, revealed that 99% of
students were strongly supportive
of a similar program dealing with
men’s urogenital examinations. A
more detailed needs survey was also
carried out, in which all students in
Years 3, 4 and 5/6 were asked about
their knowledge, attitudes and practice
of men’s sensitive examinations. One
of the salient findings of this was
that students in the “metropolitan”
centre and international students had
significantly less (and unacceptably
low levels of) exposure to men’s
urogenital examination (including DRE)
in the latter part of their course3. A
structured teaching program for these
students was therefore indicated.
From the 2011 student cohort for
whom the pilot program is intended,
1.
2.
3.
over 100 student evaluations have
so far been received. All respondents
either agreed or strongly agreed that:
• “ The learning environment
with the Men Clinical Teaching
Associates was effective”.
• “ The feedback and support
given to me by the Men Clinical
Teaching Associates was
constructive and appropriate.”
Further qualitative evaluations have
suggested that the MCTA program is
providing valuable insights into Men’s
Health, particularly prostatic disease.
The UTAS MCTA program is unique in
that it has recruited men of varying ages
and backgrounds directly from the lay
community, trained them, and put them
on the university pay-roll. This has led
to a sense of empowerment within the
group, to the extent that they now see
themselves as ambassadors for Men’s
Health. Academic papers on the MCTA
recruitment and training experience have
been presented or accepted at a two
national health education conferences.
In addition, the MCTAs themselves
will be presenting an account of their
experiences at the 2011 National
Men’s Health Gathering in Perth.
Professor Richard Turner,
Professor of Surgery, School
of Medicine, University of
Tasmania
Dr Fairbank in Melbourne has reported
similar data. The results so far show
a dramatic increase in the students’
confidence to perform each of these
examinations after the tutorial. They
state that the tutorials help both their
technical and their communication
skills and they very much appreciate
and value this method of learning.
In the coming months, following
completion of the pilot program’s
evaluations, articles will also
be written for submission to
peer-reviewed journals.
The principal aim of
the MCTA program
was to provide a
safe and structured
learning environment
in which students
could acquire the
basic skills of men’s
intimate examination,
in particular the
digital rectal
examination (DRE).
Fitzgerald D, Connolly SS, Kerin MJ. Digital rectal examination: national survey of undergraduate medical training in Ireland. Postgrad Med 2007; 83:599-601
Lawrentschuk N, Bolton DM. Experience and attitudes of final-year medical students to digital rectal examination. MJA 2004; 181:323-325
L o J,Verma K, Sefton N, Turner R. Shortfalls in the performance and interpretation of male genitorectal examinations by medical students. Accepted as a
published abstract in ANZJS (for RACS Annual Scientific Congress, Adelaide, May 2011)
6 | PROSTATE NEWS
Movember
coming
soon …
Movember funds world-class
research, educational, support
& awareness programs which
wouldn’t otherwise be possible.
Program Success:
Full details of funded programs can
be found at movember.com
Awareness Success:
hought about improving
90% ttheir
general health
isited a doctor in
86% vthe
last 12 months
men’s
67% discussed
health
out health
53% carried
research
movember.com
PROSTATE NEWS | 7
NSW
Macquarie
Bank
Trivia
Castle Hill
$8000 from
Country Club the Illawarra
trivia night
PCSG
A chilly night in Sydney town
turned into a hot spot of
trivia action at the Macquarie
Bank Trivia Night. More than
350 staff turned out to pitch
their wile and wits against
each other to raise funds and
awareness for prostate cancer.
On Saturday the 18th June,
Castle Hill Country Club
hosted a trivia night for 160
of their members and guests
to raise funds for PCFA. The
organisers of the event Cherie
Semionov, Cassie Robertson,
and Duncan Walker were
hoping to raise $10,000.They
were stunned to find after a
final money count, that they
had raised $15,000 for PCFA!
Celebrity Chef Tony Bilson, set the
tone of the evening, sharing with
the audience his personal journey
with prostate cancer – along with an
intimate story of the tragic loss of
a loved one to the same disease.
With this call to action Macquarie Bank
staff responded with true generosity
and compiled a fast paced night of
questions with a competitive edge that
was soon evident throughout the room.
PCFA State Manager Wendy Farrow
played official bingo caller and barrel girl,
fining those who tried to use their mobile
phones to search the internet for
answers; as well as selling correct answers
to the highest bidders. A remarkable
$20,402 was raised on the night with
advice that this would be generously
dollar matched through the Macquarie
Bank Charitable Foundation. A great
result and many thanks to our Friends at
Macquarie Bank.
Many thanks to all the supporters
who sold tables, food, raffle tickets and
auction items on the night. Also, the
team had a number of sponsors who
generously donated prizes. PCFA’s
NSW Ambassador Rod Lowe attended
the event to share his experiences and
partake in the night’s activities. Cherie,
Cassie, and team had an enjoyable,
fulfilling experience organising this event
and raising money for PCFA. We are
most grateful for their efforts in holding
such a successful night and acknowledge
the generosity of everyone involved.
8 | PROSTATE NEWS
Testament to the group’s success in
raising awareness for prostate cancer,
a cheque for $8000 was presented
to PCFA, achieved through support
group engagement with the local
community. PCFA congratulates the
Illawarra PCSG on their great work
in providing awareness and support
to men and their families affected
by prostate cancer in the area.
L-R: Wendy Farrow, Bob Bell,
Dr Anthony Lowe, Keith James
Castle Hill Country Club members
enjoying the trivia night
L-R: Peter Maher Head of
Banking and Financial Services
Group, Tony Bilson and NSW
State Manager Wendy Farrow
On June 22 Keith James and
Bob Bell of the Illawarra
Prostate Cancer Support
Group joined PCFA CEO Dr
Anthony Lowe and PCFA
NSW State Manager Wendy
Farrow to discuss recent
activities in their area.
VIC
Regional BBQ Bonanza!
In September 2009 the first
Shepparton’s BIGGEST
Ever Blokes BBQ was
held in a large marquee in
Shepparton, regional Victoria,
to raise funds for PCFA.
The event was a sell-out, attracting
over 500 men who indulged in a day
of dining and entertainment; and the
purchase of auction items ranging
from fishing trips to Queensland
holidays to Footy Show tickets.
PCFA had the opportunity to address
the audience about the importance of
our work and the purpose of fundraising
endeavours in the community.
The Biggest Ever Blokes BBQ is the
brainchild of Shepparton local Chris
McPherson, CEO of McPherson Media
Group. The event came to fruition as
Chris wanted to do something in the
community to support International
Prostate Cancer Month in September
and PCFA’s BBQ campaign.
This 2009 event turned out to be
the blueprint for future events. 2011
Chris McPherson
will see the third annual Shepparton’s
BIGGEST Ever Blokes BBQ with
well over 600 men attending.
in Bairnsdale, Ballarat and Bendigo, with
the potential for other major regional
centres in Victoria becoming involved.
Chris also invited fellow media
proprietors from around regional
Victoria to attend the Shepparton event
to witness the day’s activities, to see
how the male population embraced
the event and to have a good time.
Hopefully through media awareness
and attention, more Australian men
will become aware of the need to look
after their Health. Following the success
of the BIGGEST Ever Blokes BBQs in
Shepparton, further BBQs are being held
Chris and his committee have created
a model for how to run a successful
event and have very generously
supported and advised those who
have followed through to host their
own BBQ for prostate cancer event.
displayed at the end of the round on
the website, www.balls4life.com.au.
in raising funds and awareness for men’s
health. PCFA is honoured to be the
charity of choice in the Balls4Life cause.
PCFA would like to acknowledge Chris
and his committee for their great work
in not only raising funds for PCFA, but
importantly, for making men in regional
Victoria more aware of prostate cancer.
Balls 4 Life
PCFA has formed a
partnership with Balls4Life,
a not-for-profit foundation
established to raise funds and
awareness for men’s health.
Scott Matthews, founding Director
of Balls4Life, has created a simple
concept that draws on football
loving Australians’ desire to own an
integral part of the team they support.
Scott has secured alliances with the
Australian Football League and all
seventeen AFL teams for the 2011
season. Following every game in each
round of the season all players from
the winning teams will sign a match
ball. The signed footballs will then be
The balls are up for public auction and
all funds raised will be donated to PCFA.
Balls signed by the 2011 AFL Grand
Final team captains and coach, the
captains and coaches of each club which
wins a finals game; the 2011 Brownlow
medallist and the 2011 all Australian
Team will also be auctioned at www.
balls4life.com.au. Since its inception,
the Balls4Life initiative has proven
popular with bidders, sporting partners
and the media. The future vision of
Balls4Life is to attract all football codes
and other major sporting bodies in
Australia to become involved and assist
s,
Scott Matthew Balls4Life
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PROSTATE NEWS | 9
QLD
Corporate Rugby Tens
John Slater and Ryan Molloy
from CB Richard Ellis are
the driving force behind
the success of the annual
Corporate Rugby 10s held in
Brisbane. Last year the teams
involved raised an impressive
$20,504.30 for PCFA.
Now in its fourth year, the event has out
grown its original home at Ballymore
and moved to the GPS Rugby Club at
Ashgrove. Eighteen corporate teams
played on Friday 2 September 2011, and
although the donation to PCFA is still
being counted, it appears that funds raised
will easily surpass last year’s achievment.
Thank you again to all who literally
put their bodies on the line, from CB
Richard Ellis, Knight Frank, Macquarie,
Jones Lang LaSalle, McCullough
Robertson, Colliers, Herron Todd
White,Wilson HTM, Deloitte, Ray
White, Savills and RBS Morgans.
Ingham Wheels and Wings Airshow
Over the weekend of 3rd
and 4th of September,
an exhibition of historic
aircraft and vehicles was
displayed at the Ingham
Wheels and Wings Airshow.
Aviation enthusiasts
inspected aircraft ranging
from ultra-lights to
gyrocopters to sport,
commercial, vintage and
military aircraft. High
energy aerobatic routines
thrilled spectators young
and old. The wheels
on display included
restored vintage, veteran,
military and muscle
cars and motorbikes.
10 | PROSTATE NEWS
The event co-ordinator was Christian
Smith, a Townsville resident who
coordinated the Donnington Airshow at
Woodstock, Qld, between 1986 and 1993.
In 1991 the event won the North
Queensland Tourism Awards category for
Significant Local Festival or Special Event.
Furthermore, during the Ulyssses Club
National AGM in Townsville in 2008,
Christian was the media liaison for the
event and also co-wrote the NQ Tourism
Awards submission that won Major
Festivals’ category. He still maintains
extensive contacts within the aviation
industry, particularly in the Warbird and
Airshow sectors.
With extended experience co-ordinating
the Donnington Airshow for many years,
it has always been Christian’s dream
to organise another Airshow event.
A diagnosis with prostate cancer in
recent years helped Christian to reevaluate his perspective on life and
promote his vision into reality. PCFA is
proud to be associated with the Ingham
Wheels and Wings Airshow and grateful
that we are recognised as a charity
partner at this event.
ith
Christian Sm
PROSTATE NEWS | 10
WA
WA Office
The WA office has undergone many changes in
the past few months. Cate Harman has filled
the position of WA State Manager and Belinda
Katz joined the team as Administration Assistant.
The WA Board has also undergone some
changes with Roz Baker as the new Chair.
During August the WA branch moved offices
to Newcastle St Perth. A morning tea was held
for support group conveners and ambassadors
welcoming them to the new office.
e WA office
Katz from th
a
nd
li
Be
d
an
Cate Harman
The WA staff will host an official opening on 18th
November 2011 to relaunch PCFA activities in WA.
Freemantle
Phantoms
Football Club
During July PCFA WA Ambassador Trenton Jones was
well received at a luncheon held for significant sponsors
and life members of the Freemantle Phantom Football
club. Trenton spoke about his struggle with prostate
cancer and presenting the facts of the disease, creating
much needed awareness in the local football community.
In a concluding speech, Bob Smith, president of AFL
Masters Western Australia, presented a donation of
$1500 to PCFA. An additional $600 was raised from
the generous people attending the luncheon. Club
Treasurer of the Freemantle Phantom Football Club,
Kerri Wilkinson has been an ongoing support and friend
to PCFA. Many thanks to Kerri for arranging this event.
Kerri Wil
kinson f
Football rom the Freman
tl
Club pre
sents do e Phantoms
nation
Cootes Transport
meets the challenge
Cootes Transport Group delivers fuel for Shell
Australia to metro retail outlets. Late last year Shell
set the challenge to Cootes Transport to conduct
their operations in a safe and incident free manner.
If they succeeded in achieving this, Shell promised to
contribute monies to a nominated charity. Cootes
employees chose PCFA as one of their drivers had been
diagnosed with prostate cancer. Cootes achieved the
goals set by Shell and presented PCFA with a cheque
for $5000, kindly donated by Shell, with sincere thanks.
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Michelle Trenton Jones (Am
and
PROSTATE NEWS | 11
SA
$$$ from a
diverse range of
activities in SA
In a superb sporting initiative, Adelaide’s
Elizabeth Downs Soccer Club celebrated
their 50th anniversary with a match
against neighbours and competitors,
Elizabeth Downs. A day of celebrations
launched by the local Lord Mayor of
Playford, Glenn Docherty, included
5 matches, 3 BBQs and post match
celebrations with bands and an auction.
Over 2,000 people attended and
over $18,000 was raised with
the Elizabeth Vale Soccer Club
generously tipping in further funds
and finally donating $20,000.
For something entirely different the
Coonawarra Vignerons Association
made a big hearted donation of $10,000.
The money was raised at the 2010
Coonawarra Barrel Series Auction, an
annual event held during the Coonawarra
Cabernet Celebrations. Barrels of wine
are auctioned representing the “best
of the best” Coonawarra cabernet,
with net proceeds from the highest
selling barrel donated to charity.
David and Pam Sandoe (Sydney Adventist
Hospital Support Group) are flying in
to Mt Gambier in October, to address
the newly formed Limestone Coast
Support Group and attend the 2011
Coonawarra Cabernet Celebration
Dinner and the all-important charity
auction. Advice from locals is “David,
remember not to gesticulate too
wildly during the auction…or you
may be going home overweight!”
accompanied by owners in blue clothing.
The event will close with a unique
experience including the horses and
riders being loaded on to the historic
Pichi Richi train for the return ride home.
Fundraising – at its best and most
inventive, and PCFA – S.A. always
makes sure our sincere appreciation
is shown! Again, thank you to all our
wonderful supporters – the Groups,
the sponsors and the donors.
SA is looking forward to more exciting
fundraising activities in 2011 with a 10 day
horse ride through the beautiful country
north of Adelaide; the southern Flinders
Ranges. The ‘Champagne, Steam & Saddle
Ride’ from Gladstone to Quorn over
10 days is the inspirational idea of Shan
Daw and colleagues from the Southern
Flinders Trail Horse Riding Club.
Horses and riders will be decked out in
prostate cancer blue. A highlight of the
ride will be a parade of over 40 horses,
clad in blue saddle cloths and ribbons,
rs
arsal by ride
A dress rehe ounts
and m
AFL keep their eyes on the ball
The project has been sustained by
the generous support of SA power
utility ESTA, Balls4Life is working
in conjunction with PCFA and the
AFL to not only raise funds but
awareness. Recently a Urologist
addressed an ETSA business audience
to augment the awareness program.
Balls4Life Matthews said “Men too
often put the health of others before
themselves. Balls4Life has been created
12 | PROSTATE NEWS
to turn that thinking around.” Similarly,
AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew
Demetriou said “Balls4Life aims to
change the attitude of Australian men
to improve early detection of illness.”
At time of going to print, almost
$60,000 had been raised with
$4,500 being the greatest amount
paid for a ball from the Geelong
v Collingwood match in round
8, Geelong being the victors.
To place bids for the
signed AFL Sherrin match
balls visit the website
www.balls4life.com.au
Photo by Matt Turner:
Courtesy of The Advertiser
As reported on page 9, Balls4Life is a
national fundraising initiative developed
by South Australian business man
Scott Matthews and his wife Kelly
Nestor, a celebrity media presenter
and commentator on news and
politics. This marvelous initiative was
enthusiastically embraced by the entire
AFL. Pictured are Port Power captain
Domenic Cassisi (left) and Adelaide
Crows captain Nathan Van Berlo
launching the project in Adelaide’s
daily newspaper, The Advertiser.
menic
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and Ade
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Crows
Mental Health Week, 9-15 October 2011
Depression and anxiety
don’t discriminate. Do you?
help break down the stigma associated
with depression and anxiety.
Depression and anxiety can affect anyone
at any time but often, people won’t
talk about how they’re feeling because
they’re worried what others will think.
“This year, we will be aligning our
awareness-raising efforts with Mental
Health Week, which runs from Sunday
9 October to Saturday 15 October.
Mental Health Week is a national
awareness event, held every October
and incorporates World Mental
Health Day (Monday 10 October).
Don’t let discrimination and
stigma stop you, or someone
else, from getting help.
Depression and anxiety can affect
people’s thoughts, mood, behaviour
and physical health. They are common
illnesses - around one million Australian
adults have depression and two million
have an anxiety disorder. If it’s not
you, it could be someone you know.
People with depression and anxiety
need to talk to a doctor or other health
professional to get appropriate treatment.
beyondblue CEO Dawn O’Neil is
encouraging everyone to make an
effort during Mental Health Week, to
“During Mental Health Week,
we are asking everyone individuals, community groups,
schools and workplaces
- to help raise awareness
of depression and anxiety,
and reduce the associated
stigma. beyondblue information
materials that can be displayed
in workplaces, schools or
community centres during
Mental Health Week can be
ordered via the beyondblue website
from September,” says Dawn.
ut
facts abo
Get the
nxiety
n and a
depressio
g.au
dblue.or
n
o
y
e
.b
w
ww
636
300 22 4
or call 1
INDEPENDENCE AUSTRALIA SUPPORTING PELVIC FLOOR HEALTH
We proudly support the Prostate Cancer
Foundation of Australia (PCFA) by
providing specialist continence product
advice and support to PCFA clients.
Independence Australia works closely
with a number of healthcare foundations
to support their causes.
This year in June the industry launched
World Continence Week with the
theme of “pelvic floor health”. 2011
is the first year that the Continence
Foundation of Australia has gone global,
with Continence Awareness Week now
known as World Continence Week (held
each year in the last week of June). The
event focused on exercise and the pelvic
floor, highlighting the importance of
protecting and strengthening the pelvic
floor muscles (PFMs) responsible for
good bladder and bowel control.
While there can be many causes of
incontinence apart from weak PFMs,
these delicate and easily damaged
muscles are often involved in stress
urinary incontinence. It is important
to keep exercising and to choose
forms of exercise that suit you and
will not strain the PFMs (the website
www.pelvicfloorfirst.com.au has
more information). The Continence
Foundation says that “it’s never too
early and never too late” when it comes
to improving incontinence, including
strengthening the pelvic floor and
getting good advice from a continence
clinician about the many aspects of
continence management.
At Independence Australia we have a
range of continence products available
to help manage incontinence discretely
and comfortably. There is a range of
disposable and washable products,
urinals and urinary drainage aids.
We have an experienced Urology
Continence Nurse Advisor that also
understands the type of product support
people living with prostate cancer need.
If you require assistance choosing the
right product please contact our Urology
Continence Nurse Advisor.
Independence Australia, a leading supplier
of continence and health care products.
Easy ordering through our friendly customer
service centre 1300 788 855 or online at
www.independenceaustralia.com
Fast home delivery all over Australia.
Very competitive prices with a great
range of products.
Need Advice?
ASK THE NURSE
If you need advice on continence product
choice and usage, please contact the
Independence Australia Urology Continence
Nurse Advisor on: 1300 788 855 or email
askthenurse@independenceaustralia.com
Independence Australia is proud to support
the 12th Australasian Prostate Cancer
Conference.
Information in this article has been referenced from the Continence Foundation of Australia.
For more information visit www.continence.org.au and www.pelvicfloorfirst.com.au
PROSTATE NEWS | 13
Tony Bilson – Australia’s original Masterchef
Tony Bilson, the ‘Godfather of Australian
Cuisine’, has dedicated his life to the
pursuit of excellence in gastronomy. He
has been recognised as one of Australia’s
leading chefs for over 40 years and his
restaurants have been milestones in the
advance of Australian gastronomy.They
include Tony’s Bon Gout, Berowra Waters
Inn, Kinselas, Bilson’s at Circular Quay,
Fine Bouche,Treasury at Sydney’s InterContinental Hotel, Ampersand, Canard,
Bilson’s Restaurant at the Radisson Plaza
Hotel and Number One Wine Bar.
In 2003 with the opening of his flagship
restaurant Bilson’s Tony was at the top
of his game. Bilson’s received Two Hats
in the 2005 and 2006 editions of the
Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide
and it was awarded Three Hat status in
the 2007, 2008 and 2009 editions with a
rating of 18/20. In his initial review (Good
Living, 25 April 2006) Simon Thomsen
said: ‘Tony Bilson has never cooked with
more intelligence and finesse. Bilson’s is
a rare treat that should be loved, adored
and honoured by every serious Sydney
diner.’ In 2006 Tony was inducted into
the Restaurant & Catering Hall of Fame
and the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food
Guide honoured him with a special award
for his contribution to the industry.
It was at this time that Tony received the
news that he had prostate cancer. In his
typical pragmatic manner he and Amanda,
his wife of 25 years, adopted a positive
frame of mind and were reassured by
the fact that it had been caught early.
“I’ve been getting blood tests for years
because of previous health issues, and
that’s how I came to be diagnosed
with prostate cancer seven years ago.
“Prostate cancer hasn’t been
discussed much and hasn’t had much
publicity. I talk about it very openly
with my friends and ask them, ‘Have
you had your tests?’ If you catch it
early on it’s much easier to treat.
With prostate cancer, there are a few
different treatment options available.
My specialist at Sydney’s St Vincent’s
Hospital was pro-active in helping me
make the right decision. The treatment
recommended for me was brachytherapy
[a form of radiotherapy]. Filaments are
threaded through the prostate and high
doses of radiation are then directed
accurately to the cancer cells. I am in
100 per cent remission now and I never
had any doubts that I’d get through it.
Right now thanks to my treatment I
can look forward to the future and one
of the highlights will be the launch of
my memoir Insatiable – A Lifetime in the
Kitchen, published by Murdoch Books,
which is coming out in early October
With thanks to Body and Soul
for assistance with copy.
For your Big Aussie Barbie – plate up with Tony Bilson
Like many Australian men
Tony Bilson has said that one
of the first places he leant to
cook was around the barbecue.
BBQ recipes by Tony Bilson
Whole Fish Baked in Newspaper
Kangaroo Sate
Build your fire in a shallow pit dug in the earth.
• 500g kangaroo fillet cut in to 2cm cubes
• 10 bamboo skewers
• 2-3 kg fish, preferably trout, tuna or snapper
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh herbs (sprigs of thyme, parsley,
marjoram etc)
• Lemon slices
• 200g butter
• 2 onions, quartered
• 20 sheets of newspaper
• Extra butter
BBQ tip from Tony Bilson:
Barbecuing Fish: Fillets of fish tend to
dry out over an open fire but small
whole fish have a layer of fat under the
skin that protects them. Because of
this I tend to wrap fillets in aluminum
kitchen foil with some butter or oil and
seasoning. While grilling small whole fish,
baste them with oil or butter. For large
fish I like the old fisherman’s method
of wrapping the fish in newspaper and
burying them in the coals.
14 | PROSTATE NEWS
Method
Season the fish generously with salt and
pepper. Mix together the herbs, butter, lemon
and onion and stuff the cavity.Wet the sheets
of newspaper and wrap the fish tightly, layer
on layer.
Scrape the coals away from the centre of the
fire. Place the fish in the coals and cover it with
more hot coals. Leave the fish in the coals for
30 minutes by which time most of the paper
will have burned away but there should still be
a few layers protecting the fish. Cut the paper
from the fish, place the fish on a tray, dot with
some fresh butter, season with some freshly
ground black pepper and serve. Serves 6 – 8
Marinade
• 1 tablespoon red curry paste
• 1 teaspoon crushed fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh red chili pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander
• 1 tablespoon chopped shallots
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed and chopped
• Juice of 1 lime
• ¼ cup sesame oil
Method
Soak the bamboo skewers in water for 2
hours or overnight.
Thread the cubes of kangaroo onto the
bamboo skewers.
Mix together the ingredients for the
marinade. Pour the marinade over the cubes
of kangaroo.Turn them over so that all the
meat is coated and leave to marinate for
2 hours. Cook quickly (no more than 5
minutes each side) over a moderate fire so
that the meat does not dry out.
Australia’s first Proton Therapy facility
offers new hope in prostate cancer treatment.
By Sue Bleasel, Director of Planning and Operations, Proton Therapy Australia.
rotational gantry or by fixed beam lines
enabling radiation oncologists to deliver
the protons. Technology known as
pencil beam scanning, paints the tumour
with ionising energy, layer by layer and
the speed is controlled by a series of
magnets.
What is critically different with protons
over even the most sophisticated
conventional radiotherapy is that the
majority of killing energy is delivered just
to the tumour.
Proton Therapy is an advanced cancer
treatment and, like other sophisticated
medical treatments, is more expensive
than conventional care. Nonetheless,
Proton Therapy Australia anticipates that
the treatment will cost considerably less
than Proton Therapy overseas.
Proton Therapy is regarded
as one of the most advanced
treatments for cancer in
the radiotherapy market.
Proton Therapy allows the
clinician to target the cancer
cells directly, killing the cells
without harming the healthy
tissue around the tumour.
The result is patients have few
side effects post treatment.
There are more than 60 proton facilities
operating or under construction in
the northern hemisphere, with most
attached to prestigious cancer centres.
Therefore, this technology is not new
but has yet to be introduced to Australia.
Proton Therapy is noted as being
particularly useful for prostate cancer.
It is considered to be as precise as
some prostate surgeries; but is painless,
allows for the retention of the prostate
gland, produces few side effects and is
delivered on an outpatient basis. Aside
from prostate cancer, protons are
recognised as valuable in the treatment
of head and neck, brain and spinal, lung,
gastrointestinal and paediatric cancers.
More than 9,000 men have received
Proton Therapy for prostate cancer
at the Loma Linda proton centre in
California. [Incidentally, more than 230
Australian men with prostate cancer
sought proton therapy at the same
facility over the period 2005–2011.]
Proton Therapy Australia (PTA) is
currently planning to design, build and
operate a Proton Therapy facility in East
Sydney. The facility will cost in excess
of $200million with the first patient
treatment scheduled for 2014.
The science behind Proton Therapy uses
the protons from hydrogen atoms that
are left after the electrons are removed.
An accelerator accelerates the protons
then sends them through a beam
transport system to individual treatment
rooms where they are used to treat
tumours.
Patients are immobilised in the
treatment rooms wherein the proton
beam is precisely aligned as prescribed
by the treatment plan, by either a 360
For those interested in seeking further
evidence on the treatment and effects of
Proton Therapy, The Brotherhood of the
Balloon http://www.protonbob.com/ is a
US website that provides information for
men about proton therapy for prostate
cancer. They say, “You will learn much
more about any option by talking with
someone who has been through it than
from any other source”.
If you would like to
speak with an Australian
Radiation Oncologist
for advice about Proton
Therapy, or if you would
like to speak to Australians
who have been successfully
treated with proton therapy,
go to the pull down menu
‘Contact Us’ on PTA’s website
http://www.protontherapy.
com.au/html/. Your email
address will be forwarded
to PTA’s clinical advisor or
patient advocates whichever
is your request.
PROSTATE NEWS | 15
Host a Big
Aussie Barbie
fundraiser this
September
To find out about
fundraising events
in your state visit:
Register now at
prostate.org.au
prostate.org.au
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DONORS, PARTNERS AND SPONSORS FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DONORS, PARTNERS AND SPONSORS FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DONORS, PARTNERS AND SPONSORS FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT
MEN’S HEALTH PARTNER
MOVEMBER FOUNDATION
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MOVEMBER FOUNDATION
BLUE DIAMOND
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PARTNERS
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PERPETUAL TRUSTEES
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TOPAZ PARTNERS
SPORTS • HARLEY DAVIDSON • HOYTS • NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION
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ATTERIS • CHARITY
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For more information about prostate cancer and PCFA, please call 1800 22 00 99, or visit prostate.org.au
I want to help find a cure for prostate cancer.
Please find enclosed my donation of $
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Please make your
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payable to Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia OR
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Cancer Foundation of Australia through my will.
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All donations $2 and over are tax deductible
Please mail to: PCFA PO Box 1332, Lane Cove NSW 1595
or donate
onlineNEWS
at prostate.org.au
16
PROSTATE
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