Sam Lim (Tangney, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Recently, a Tangney constituent told me about his battle with prostate cancer. He broke down in tears and shared his struggles. His diagnosis has greatly affected his mental health. He is not the only one. Many Tangney constituents have told me about their prostate cancer diagnosis—men who were not aware of or dismissed early symptoms and others who had no idea about the risk associated with family history or generally ignored their health. All of them who spoke to me were shocked that this had happened to them. They speak with deep regrets. Some have long-term physical and mental effects from their treatment. Others are on the other side of treatments and are now strong advocates for more awareness, more conversation and more testing. It is easy to put off difficult conversations with doctors, but we have seen the consequences of not having these important talks. Open conversations like those I had recently in Tangney with community groups like the Melville Men's Shed and the Sikh community leaders need to happen more frequently and more often. We need to be more aware and be more proactive. Our lives depend on it. (Time expired)

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