Prostate Cancer in the Mining Community

September 20, 2018 Tara

This month is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and this week we have been running articles that offer information with the hope that you will decide to get yourself checked for Prostate Cancer with your GP. 

 

Every year more than 3,000 Australian men die from Prostate Cancer, and the chances of you being one of them is high. For men between the age of 40 and 75, the chances are one in seven of getting the disease. As the mining community is 85% male, we believe it to be crucial that we spread the word about diseases that can affect you, or any one of the other men you work with.

 

Most men find it difficult to speak about tough subjects like this at the best of times, but when it comes to something this important, don’t you think it’s worth talking about?

Even if you aren’t comfortable talking about prostate cancer with your colleagues, we urge you to make an appointment with your GP to get a check-up. If you have anyone in your family who has had prostate cancer, your risk of getting it yourself is severely increased.

Of the approximately 220,000 people working in mining in Australia, around 186,000 are men. Of those 186,000 men, around 27,000 WILL get prostate cancer in their lifetime. Of those 27,000 men currently working in mining in Australia, almost 900 of them will die from prostate cancer. What are the chances that you will know at least one person affected by prostate cancer? Very high. In Australia, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. Luckily, however, when it is diagnosed early, it can be treated, and with a very high success rate.

What Are The Symptoms?

In its early stages, prostate cancer may cause no signs or symptoms at all. This is why it is so important to #GetChecked every year.

More advanced cases of prostate cancer cause symptoms and signs and symptoms like:

  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Blood in semen
  • Discomfort in the pelvic area
  • Trouble urinating
  • Decreased force in the stream of urine
  • Bone pain

 

If you or anyone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your GP as soon as possible and get checked.

http://pcfa.org.au/getchecked/

 

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