Gay men get prostate cancer help

David Alexander
November 28, 2012

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) has announced the formation of a new support program for Queensland gay and bisexual men living with prostate cancer and their partners. The new Gay/Bi Men’s Prostate Cancer Initiative will aim to deliver improved education and support for the gay community, and increase awareness of prostate cancer risks and access to support for men and their partners who have either been diagnosed with prostate cancer, or survived it. The program will initially start in Brisbane with hopes to take the program state-wide.

The initiative will start with a one day workshop held at the Cancer Council Queensland’s offices and will be led by one of the country’s leading experts on men’s health, Greg Millan, who has a significant background in gay men’s sexual health and wellbeing.

The free workshop will allow men and their partners to come together to share stories and experiences, talk about their support needs, discuss findings from the first consultation project conducted with gay and bisexual men, and build upon support networks and groups in Brisbane.

“It is essential that PCFA works with men from the gay community who are affected by prostate cancer so that we are not making assumptions about their prostate cancer support needs and to ensure that we are delivering a program that provides the best source of support for this community,” PCFA chief executive Dr Anthony Lowe said.

According to the figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, approximately 20,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year and close to 3,300 men will die from the disease.

“With prostate cancer affecting such a vast number of Australian men and their loved ones, it is now time for PCFA and its partners to reach out to men in all communities so we can deliver an improved level of support,” Lowe said.