Jason Wood (La Trobe, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Yesterday the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, together with Astellas Pharma, hosted an event for parliamentarians to raise awareness of the impact of advanced prostate cancer on Australian men. Can I thank all the members of parliament who attended, and also Jim Lloyd, the former member for Robertson, for his role as ambassador.

Tragically, 20,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in Australia. Of that 20,000, 3,000 die each year. Sadly, 15 per cent get diagnosed immediately with advanced prostate cancer. I encourage all men, especially those over the age of 50 or those who have a relative in the family with prostate cancer, to go and get a check-up. Sadly, my father has prostate cancer, and I can tell everyone that it has had a huge impact on my mother. Right across the country you will find carers having a really difficult time.

I also thank nurse Sally Sara, a prostate cancer specialist from Adelaide. I will be speaking to the Minister Greg Hunt to ensure that their funding is continued into the future. I was in awe of Sally, the other carers and all of the gents there yesterday who had prostate cancer. I thank them for being so courageous as to come and talk to us yesterday.

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