Blue September (http://www.blueseptember.org.au/about_blue_september.php) is a nationwide awareness and fundraising initiative about all the cancers that affect men – not just prostate and testicular cancer, but also bowel, lung, liver, pancreatic and other cancers. The campaign aims to raise funds for Australian Prostate Cancer Research and Australian Cancer Research Foundation charities to raise men's awareness of cancer and help them to reduce the risk of developing and dying from cancer by making better lifestyle choices and seeking help sooner rather than later.
Can we really prevent cancer?
At least one in three cancer cases is preventable. Thousands of men's lives could be saved by making healthy lifestyle decisions such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, taking care in the sun, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet.
Lives can also be saved if more men know more about the symptoms of cancer and contact a health professional as soon as they notice something worrying such as a lump or a nagging cough.
So let’s face up to cancer in men this September! Show your support by painting your face blue and raise awareness and funds to save lives!
You can help. You can do something.
In fact thanks to support from Blue September, Australian Prostate Cancer Research are about to launch a world-first online cancer support program for men with prostate cancer. Prostmate is a ground breaking personalised support system for men and their families dealing with prostate cancer. It will provide access to the latest research validated information, personalised support, specialised programs and consultations with prostate cancer specialist nurses and psychologists. Prostmate is being developed in partnership with leading cancer agencies, researchers and clinicians. It will be free to join, easy to use and a valuable resource to help make informed choices. The cancer statistics:
- Australia has the highest rate of prostate cancer in the developed world
- In 2013, it is estimated that over 122,000 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer and more than half of these cases are expected to be males
- In recent decades cancer mortality rates have fallen due to vital advances in research
In 2013, the campaign is set to be bigger than ever with the launch of the Blue September wristband, which will help us raise awareness and well needed funds for cancer research to develop new treatments, online medical support and cutting edge equipment.
