Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Prostate cancer is a commonly diagnosed cancer for Australian men, with over 17,000 Aussie blokes being diagnosed each year. However, compared to other cancers, prostate cancer has a high survival rate, with approximately 95 per cent of men who are diagnosed surviving at least five years after that diagnosis. That's why it's absolutely crucial that men don't delay putting off going to see their GP, discussing their family history and other risk factors and, if appropriate, getting a prostate cancer check. I want to acknowledge the work of the Prostate Cancer Foundation and, in particular, the prostate cancer nurses. Their work is so important.

While men are beating prostate cancer, we must also focus on ensuring that those survivors are living well. Men and families need to grapple with the long-lasting impacts on their physical and mental wellbeing of diagnosis and treatment. That's why the local prostate cancer support groups, such as Prosper in my electorate of Solomon run by Don Lockley, are so important. Well done to Don. I'll be popping into the Christmas party for the prostate cancer support group Prosper, in Darwin. But I say to everyone: have that conversation with your dad or your brother, whoever it may be. Have that chat. Have they had their check-up? Have they seen their GP?