25 November 2021

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) is today calling on Australians to help save the lives of over 16,000 men by helping to double funding for prostate cancer research.

Today, November 25, is PCFA’s first-ever Giving Day, kick-starting the charity’s bold vision to double prostate cancer funding over the next five years.

More Australian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer than any other cancer, but prostate cancer research only gets half the funding of some other major cancers.

PCFA Chief Executive Professor Jeff Dunn AO, said doubling research could help wipe out deaths from the disease within two decades, saving the lives of over 3,000 Australian men every year.

“Prostate cancer is a major cause of death in Australian men. It is a disease that claims the lives of nine men every day and costs the health system around $500 million to treat,” Prof Dunn said.

“Our fathers and sons are dying before their time of a disease that can be defeated. Their deaths are avoidable. We stand at the doorway to curative treatments and better detection methods, but we must boost research funding today to save lives tomorrow.

“With your help, we could save the lives of over 16,000 men in just five years and double vital funding for this disease.

“Please donate today to help us save the lives of our fathers, sons, brothers and mates.”

Australians can help double prostate cancer funding by donating at pcfagivingday.org.au. With the support of PCFA major partners, all donations up to $250,000 will be matched dollar for dollar on Thursday, November 25.

“Prostate cancer is one of the greatest threats to the future health of Australian men, and research holds the key to beating it. Deaths from prostate cancer are avoidable, but we cannot stop the pain of prostate cancer without community and government support,” Prof Dunn said.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data shows that only 36 percent of prostate cancers are detected at Stage 1, when the disease is easier to beat. It is one of the lowest rates of early detection for major cancers. 

“What concerns us greatly is that about 15 percent of men are diagnosed at Stages 3 or 4, when hope for survival is poor.

“And while five-year relative survival rate for Stage 1 prostate cancer is almost 100 percent, this rate falls to 36 percent at Stage 4 – which means only 1 in 3 of those men will live for another five years. 

“Men are dying on our watch, but with a doubling of funding for research, we can eradicate deaths from prostate cancer within our lifetime – by 2040.”

To donate, visit pcfagivingday.org.au.

For more information about prostate cancer, call PCFA on 1800 22 00 99 or go to www.pcfa.org.au.

ENDS

Media contact: Laura McKoy | M. 0435 094 788