Karen McNamara (Dobell, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I second the motion and I thank the member for Blaxland for bringing it before the House. I also thank the member for joining with me as the co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Prostate Cancer Awareness Group and for his efforts in raising awareness of prostate cancer. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare provides startling statistics on how this cancer continues to be so devastating. Almost 25 per cent of all new male cancer cases are prostate cancer, and it is forecast that there will be approximately 17,250 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in 2015.

While there are approximately 120,000 men nationwide living with prostate cancer, there is a 93 per cent chance of surviving for five years or more. Unfortunately, it is estimated that more than 3,000 men will tragically lose their battle with prostate cancer this year. Thirteen per cent of all male deaths from cancer are attributed to prostate cancer. Studies of prostate cancer continue to indicate a strong correlation between age and this particular type of cancer. This year it is estimated that the risk of a male being diagnosed with prostate cancer by their 85th birthday will be one in seven. It is anticipated that this year the incidence of prostate cancer will increase for all age groups up to 65 years of age. Latest statistics on the New South Wales Central Coast indicate that prostate cancer accounts for almost 16 per cent of all cancer diagnoses.

With nine men dying every day from prostate cancer, it is clear that there is still a lot of work to be done. In acknowledging the unfortunately high number of men suffering from prostate cancer, it is important that we as parliamentarians raise awareness in our communities of this deadly disease, particularly in September, it being Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Every year, in an effort to raise awareness of the devastation caused by prostate cancer, the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, the PCFA, host a number of events. A highlight event is the Big Aussie Barbie, which is held in many communities across Australia. In my electorate of Dobell, community groups such as the Bateau Bay Men's Shed have already held a barbie for this worthy cause, and many more organisations, such as our local bowling clubs, will be hosting Big Aussie Barbies pretty soon.

Not only will there be Big Aussie Barbies held in Dobell and in the seat of Blaxland to help raise awareness but, later this week here at Parliament House, the PCFA will be hosting the Parliamentary Big Aussie Barbie. I encourage all members to drop by and lend their support. We will also see the arrival of the Big Aussie Barbie semitrailer here at Parliament House, driven from Queensland to Canberra by Mr John West, a prostate cancer survivor. I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage any individuals in the community who may be interested in organising their own Big Aussie Barbie to do so.

I join with the member for Blaxland in thanking the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia for the work they do and their tireless efforts to promote awareness. In raising awareness of prostate cancer, early detection and advances in treatment, hopefully the success rate with this type of cancer will increase. An early prognosis is important to successful treatment, so the PCFA encourage all men over the age of 50—or, in the case of men with a family history of prostate cancer, over the age of 40—to talk to their GP about testing for this disease.

As I have mentioned, prostate cancer is a devastating cancer. It is common, it is a rapid cancer and a large number of men will be affected. A strong advocate for awareness of prostate cancer is a former member for Robertson, the Hon. Jim Lloyd. In his own words, Jim said:

I know from personal experience just how important early diagnosis is in the successful treatment of prostate cancer.

In acknowledging Jim's tireless work, I would also like to acknowledge the many other advocates for the positive stories from prostate cancer, and I am sure many people would agree with Jim's sentiments on early detection.

I comment also on the impacts this cancer, as well as other types of cancer, has on the families of those diagnosed. As a mother, wife, daughter and sister, I acknowledge this cancer could affect my family. All of the awareness and support I have referred to relies on many supportive women in our communities. It was my interactions with the women bowlers of my community that led me to approaching the bowling clubs of Dobell to host a Big Aussie Barbie after the women shared with me their personal stories of their partner's battle with prostate cancer. In closing, I thank the member for Blaxland for bringing this motion to the House and for working with me as co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Prostate Cancer Awareness group.

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