• Prostate cancer is an abnormal growth of prostate cells that form a lump (tumour) in the prostate. 

• In time, it will spread to other organs, particularly the bones and lymph nodes, which can be life threatening.

• It generally does not have obvious symptoms at the early, and potentially curable stage.  This makes it different from other common prostate disorders, which have urinary symptoms.

• It is recommended that men aged 50 and over be tested annually for prostate cancer.

• However, if there is a family history of prostate cancer, men should be tested annually from the age of 40.

• If there is no family history, a man has a 1 in 5 risk of developing prostate cancer by the age of 85-years.

• If a first-degree relative (brother or father) has had a diagnosis of prostate cancer, the risk is increased 3 fold.

• If two first-degree relatives have had prostate cancer, the risk increases 8 fold.

• Men in rural and regional Australia have a 21% higher prostate cancer mortality rate than men in capital cities.

For more information about Prostate Cancer, talk to your GP or contact the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia by phoning toll free, 1800 22 00 99, or visit www.prostate.org.au.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) is the national body for prostate cancer in Australia.  It was founded in 1994 by TV Presenter and prostate cancer survivor Roger Climpson, who persuaded his fellow Lane Cove Rotary Club members to join him in forming the foundation, after going through his own successful treatment for the disease.

PCFA plays a vital role in the fight against prostate cancer and devotes all of it resources towards reducing the impact of prostate cancer on the community.   In addition to dedicating funding to research into prostate cancer, PCFA operates 80 support groups for men and their families nationally.  While PCFA’s aim is to raise the awareness about prostate cancer across communities, with a view to saving lives through early detection, less than 1% of its income is provided through government funding, making fundraisers like Sydney’s Secret Ingredients, all the more important.