05 June 2023


42-year-old Burleigh father Luke White never expected a sore throat would result in a prostate cancer diagnosis.

Now in recovery from surgery, he’s tackling 22kms for Men’s Health Week in a bid to raise awareness and funds in the fight against the disease.

“In August last year I had a sore throat that I could not shake,” Mr White said.

“Like most men I don’t often go to the GP, but I was really over it and thought I would just go and get some antibiotics to get rid of it.

“What the doctor did next probably saved my life – he said ‘Luke, it’s time for another blood test’.”

His doctor tested his PSA level for prostate cancer, which was elevated, referring Luke to a specialist for further tests, resulting in a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Now Mr White has joined forces with Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) to take on the charity’s new event, the Perfect Match, for Men’s Health Week beginning on June 12.

The nationwide event invites individuals and teams to tackle 22km in one week, with one Australian man diagnosed every 22 minutes. As a bonus, all donations to the campaign are being doubled by iconic Australian brands Tyrepower and Hire A Hubby.

As a father of three young boys, 11, 8 and 6, Mr White is determined to help find a cure for the disease so that his sons don’t have to worry.

“I’m only 42 so was very young to get it. I had surgery just before Christmas. My wife Amy drove me down and I focused on my breathing. Then my eyes started to well up with tears. I hadn’t cried until then,” Mr White said.

“Unfortunately the surgery wasn’t the end of it. While I was lucky in that all the cancer was contained within the prostate, there are other issues to deal with, both physically and mentally.

“I try to remember how lucky I am that it was caught so early - not everyone has that fortune, so it helps to think of it that way whenever I feel like life has dealt me a bad hand.”

The Gold Coast has among the highest prevalence of prostate cancer in Australia, with around 500 men newly diagnosed each year.

While the symptoms of the sore throat were not linked to his prostate cancer, Mr White says his check-up saved his life, and now urges other men to do the same.

“I want to do everything I can to help with advances in screening, treatment, care and ultimately a cure,” he said.

“On average 15 per cent of Australian men are diagnosed once the disease has spread outside the prostate, when it’s harder to beat. Whatever you can give will really help to make a difference.”

To sign up go to www.perfectmatch.org.au and search for Luke White to donate.

For more information call PCFA on 1800 22 00 99.

ENDS   

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