26 June 2023

Australian motorsport legend Rob Herrod will go back into treatment for prostate cancer this week, calling on Australians to join Dry July to help raise awareness and funds against the deadly disease.

Mr Herrod has joined Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) to support this year’s campaign for the annual event, and will start treatment on Tuesday for a recurrence of serious prostate cancer.

“I had my prostate removed around six years ago and I’ve been doing constant PSA level checks since,” Mr Herrod says.

“Three weeks ago, a rising PSA tipped off my doctors that I may have a concern, and it was confirmed that I have a recurrence of prostate cancer.

“Tomorrow I will start radiation therapy for seven weeks, seven days a week. I may also undergo other treatments, depending on how things go.

“I’ll come out of this all right – but it’s just the fact that if I hadn’t gone and kept getting regular checks, this could have gotten worse.

“I’d urge all Australians to get behind Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia for Dry July, which starts this Saturday.

“There are thousands of Aussie men on the same track as me, and we need to make sure they all get a chance to complete the course and go the distance against this disease.”

Prostate cancer is Australia’s leading cause of cancer, with nearly 25,000 men newly diagnosed each year and around 250,000 men alive today after a diagnosis.

The Chief Executive Officer of PCFA, Anne Savage, said rates of late diagnosis were unacceptably high.

“Around 15 per cent of Australian men still have prostate cancer detected at Stages 3 and 4, when it has spread to other areas of the body. The awareness and funds we raise during Dry July are key to helping us overcome that trend, so that every Australian man gets a fighting chance to beat prostate cancer,” Ms Savage said.

“All funds raised go to PCFA nurses in the community, who play a vital role in raising awareness and supporting men and their families when they are diagnosed with the disease, offering expert support in the days, weeks, months and years after treatment.”

Go to www.dryjuly.com/pcfa

ENDS   

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Laura Howden