RSA Review Spring 2020

10 RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2020 FOR PROSTATE CANCER Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand men, and 1 in 8 men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. Let’s help fight this by throwing a Blue Do. Register your Blue Do or make a donation at blueseptember.org.nz #BlueDoThingee TDC20 150 80mmx126.5mm ad 1.indd 1 10/08/20 2:31 PM The Difference in Cancer Care With one in eight men getting prostate cancer, early diagnosis and effective treatment saves lives. First class treatment facility, wonderful staff .’ ARO patient survey 2020 www.aro.co.nz info@aro.co.nz tHrow a ‘BLUe do’ for tHinGee While Prostate Cancer Foundation ambassador JasonGunn has taken a light-hearted approach to the subject in previous years, things got personal for him this year. Alan Henderson – the voice behind the much-loved TV puppet, Thingee, the Son of a Gunn’s sidekick– lost his battle against prostate cancer. So, this September we’re asking you to go blue for Thingee and all the whanau in our lives that have been affected by the disease. AgenerationofNewZealanderswillremember Thingee from the Son of a Gunn Show. “My mate, Alan, lost his battle with prostate cancer, which means Thingee lost his voice,” says Jason. “But if he could talk, he’d ask you to help us fight this”. More than 600men in New Zealand die from prostate cancer, every year: “It’s a real Thingee. Help fight it, by throwing a ‘blue do’. Do it for your loved ones, do it for Thingee”. Withone ineightmengettingprostate cancer, early diagnosis and effective treatment saves lives. Early detection is key and don’t wait for symptoms, many men don’t have them when they are diagnosed. Typically men don’t know how dangerous this disease is. They don’t talk to their doctor about it, their doctor doesn’t talk to them about it, or they simply don’t know they may have it as they have no symptoms and don’t feel unwell. New statistics reveal that almost 300 fewer men were diagnosed in March and April this year as a result of NewZealand’s lockdown than in the comparable period last year. COVID-19 has meant delays in testing, diagnosis and treatment, which could be fatal. Early detection leads to better outcomes, so the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s message is clear: Get checked and tell your mates and loved ones to do the same. Jim Duthie, a prostate-cancer surgeon and medical adviser to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, says taking care of your own health is also about taking care of the people who depend on you. “If we want to live not only longer but better lives, it takes some investment now. “Prostate-cancer screening is as easy as a blood test and can pick up a problem well before you have any symptoms and while it can still be successfully treated. It is worth it to you, and to your loved ones.” The foundation receives no government funding. Instead, it, relies on the generosity of the public to help spread the message for men to have regular checks, to fund research that will improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes, to provide support for those who need it the most (the men and their families living with prostate cancer every day), and to advocate on their behalf. Typically men don’t know how dangerous this disease is. They don’t talktotheirdoctor about it, their doctor doesn’t talk to them about it, they simply don’t know they may have it. Jason Gunn with his much-missed Thingee. Health andWell-Being Men’s top cancer Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand men. About 3500 are diagnosed each year and more than 600 die from the disease. Let’s help fight this by throwing a ‘blue do’ Register your ‘blue do’ or make a donation at blueseptember.org.nz #BlueDoThingee\ To find about more about the Prostate Cancer Foundation and its services – call the helpline: 0800 477678.