Heart of Australia and It’s A Bloke Thing Foundation are partnering to deliver a new mobile prostate cancer testing program that will launch in Miles this weekend (7–8 March).
The program will target rural and regional men over the age of 50 or under the age of 50 who have a family history of prostate cancer, who are not already getting checks done with their GP or healthcare provider regularly.
A simple blood test (PSA test) will be delivered by Heart of Australia’s team of clinical nurses, with the service being offered quarterly in the following communities:
* Miles
* Charleville
* Quilpie
* St George
* Goondiwindi
Heart of Australia founder Dr Rolf Gomes said Heart of Australia was eager to support the delivery of this program to encourage more country men to access testing earlier and improve health outcomes long term.
“We know that statistically men in rural areas face worse outcomes for Prostate cancer than their city counterparts, in part due to lower testing uptake and late-stage diagnosis,” Dr Gomes said.
“In working with It’s A Bloke Thing Foundation to deliver this important service to country men, we hope to see an improvement in health outcomes by offering an additional pathway to accessing these tests.”
It’s A Bloke Thing Foundation chairman Jack Wagner highlighted that in the absence of a national screening program someone had to take the lead with mobile testing.
“We are determined that every man has an opportunity of a PSA test, no matter where he lives. In working with Heart of Australia, we will deliver PSA testing and education to the bush and hopefully save the lives of those living under the shadow of prostate cancer.”
Eligible participants interested in receiving the PSA test will be able to call and book an appointment with Heart of Australia directly on 07 3162 5310.
Walk-ins will also be encouraged to attend on the day of dedicated clinics.
Dates for PSA testing clinics will be published on Heart of Australia’s website.
Upcoming clinic dates for mobile Prostate cancer screening this quarter:
* Miles: 7/8 March – Miles Showgrounds
* St George: 17 March – St George Showgrounds
* Charleville: 28/29 March – Charleville Showgrounds
* Quilpie: 11/12 April – Bulloo Park
* St George: 14 April – St George Showgrounds
* Goondiwindi – 17/18 April – Goondiwindi Town Park.
About Heart of Australia:
Heart of Australia provides access to mobile specialist healthcare and testing in rural, remote and First Nations communities. By bringing both the skilled workforce and the toolkit they need to diagnose and treat patients, Heart of Australia is bridging the gap in health equity and ultimately help country Australians live longer and healthier lives. Since launching in 2014, they have seen more than 20,000 patients, saved 900 lives and have offset patients 54 million kilometres in travel for specialist appointments through operations of their seven mobile clinics.
About It’s A Bloke Thing Foundation:
It’s A Bloke Thing Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to tackling prostate cancer. In partnership with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, it funds a mobile education program to raise awareness around early detection, funds specialist prostate cancer nurses across Queensland and the Northern Territory and also contributes to vital research. This fight against prostate cancer is crucial, with prostate cancer being the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia and rural and regional men facing a 24 per cent higher mortality risk due to late diagnosis.
