Deadly disease gets cash and awareness

 

BY JULIA WADE

A recent festive fundraiser not only raised a large amount of cash for a vital cause but also heightened awareness to a deadly disease which kills hundreds of New Zealand men every year. 

Hosted by The Mangawhai Club on June 25, the formal mid-winter three course Christmas dinner attracted 60 well-dressed diners and collected $2000 for the Prostate Cancer Organisation. 

Initiator of the fundraiser, local prostate cancer representative and cancer survivor, Ross Burrows, says survival comes down to a matter of awareness.  

“Every guy over 50 is in a situation where they could get prostate cancer,” he says. “Two thousand men are diagnosed each year and 300 die every year so it’s really relevant and important for men to see their doctor and get tested.”

Emcee’d by Murray Heaton, event goers were entertained by local band ‘Otherwise Fine’ and surrounded by flower creations by local flora artist, Roxy Burnett, owner of ‘Blooming Wild’. Mangawhai doctor Neil Anderson from Coast to Coast Health also gave a talk on the reality of symptoms, treatment and health complications when men do not get tested for the disease. 

Since his diagnosis three years ago, Ross has undergone a range of treatments including the removal of his whole prostate and thankfully is now in recovery. 

“I also had to take a range of pills which left me feeling awful so gave those up… and went through 38 days of radiology due to my PSA (prostate specific antigen) being up. The levels shouldn’t be over five, if it is you can be in trouble, and in August last year mine tested a bit over that which meant the cancer was growing,” he says. “Now it’s on its way down and in the normal range so I feel I’ve escaped it quite easily.”

Prostate cancer is deadly due to the fact that symptoms generally do not show until the disease is in an advanced stage, leaving limited chance for effective, curative treatment. Regular check-ups are vital for early detection and Ross urges all men to visit a doctor once they turn 50. 

“Go to your GP and get the PSA which is just a simple blood test. This gives your doctor an idea and base to work from in future years. Mine was discovered when I was 70 but it’s much easier to discover and do something about it when you’re 50 as you’re younger and healthier. The GP can then keep an eye on your PSA levels and do a test every six months,” he says. “Every man needs to get it done… guys have to realise we’re not infallible, we’re not Superman.” 

 Find out more at prostate.org.nz

Teaming up to spread the word and raise funds (from left) local prostate cancer representative and survivor, Ross Burrows, shakes hands with The Club representative Gerry Mulligan on a successful event which heightened awareness of the deadly disease killing hundreds of Kiwi men every year. (PHOTO/Supplied)