Fish for answers on prostate cancer
January 23, 2012
Australia’s largest national fishing competition, the Pirtek Fishing Challenge, is on again for the fourth year running on Sunday, 15 April 2012.
Open to all Australians in a wide array of competition categories, the aim of the Fishing Challenge is to raise awareness of prostate cancer through fishing fun and $130,000 in cash and prizes. As in previous years, the money raised through the competition is being donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA).
The Group General Manager of Pirtek Fluid Systems Pty Ltd, Stephen Dutton, said “We had a tremendous surge of support for last year’s challenge and were delighted to hand over to Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia a cheque for $80,000. In 2012 we’re aiming for 6,000 competitors and $120,000 for PCFA.
“There are over $130,000 in cash and prizes for this year’s challenge and I urge fishos young and old to become involved. Everyone at Pirtek wishes all competitors good luck and a great day out.”
Prostate Cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in men, and around 20,000 new cases are diagnosed in Australia each year. Annually, about 2,700 deaths will be recorded in Australia due to prostate cancer.
In its early stages, prostate cancer is treatable. However, symptoms are rarely noticed before the cancer has started to spread to other parts of the body, making successful treatment much more difficult.
There are early detection methods widely available in Australia, and all men are advised to talk to their healthcare provider about their prostate health regularly after the age of 50, or 40 if there is a history of prostate disease in the family.
The ATA NSW health and wellbeing library includes an article about prostate cancer [PDF]. The library is provided by RT Health Fund.
Photo Credit: Dacre Timbs, wikimedia commons.
