Melbourne Storm has partnered with the Australian Prostate Centre (APC) to encourage dads and men across the community to prioritise their health this Father’s Day by speaking with their GP about prostate cancer testing.
The partnership builds on the Club’s annual Old Boys Weekend earlier this season, where Storm’s former players had the opportunity to undergo simple blood tests as part of the weekend’s activities, in an initiative supported by the Australian Prostate Centre.
The first step in testing is generally a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, which measures the level of PSA in the blood. An elevated PSA does not necessarily mean a man has prostate cancer.
A GP will assess the result alongside an individual’s age and risk factors and determine whether further testing is required.
Storm Past Players Manager Peter Robinson said working with the APC provided an important opportunity to encourage the Club’s Old Boys to take their physical health seriously.
“We gave our Old Boys the opportunity to have their bloods tests done over the weekend, which was a great initiative and really important for us all,” Robinson said.
“It was great to be able to provide that opportunity for the boys while they we were all together, we’re getting to an age where it’s important to have conversations about our prostate health.
“Having APC involved helped us put that message front and centre and encouraged the boys to take action.”
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, with more than 28,000 men diagnosed each year, and can often develop without noticeable symptoms in its early stages.
As part of the partnership, Storm and the APC are encouraging men to speak with their GP about prostate cancer testing from the age of 50, or from 40 for men with a family history of prostate cancer or who are of African or Caribbean heritage.
Robinson said the Old Boys Weekend was a good example of how creating the right environment can encourage men to have important conversations about their health.
“Sometimes you just need that little bit of encouragement to go and get it done,” Robinson said.
“The Old Boys were able to support each other through it, and that’s what makes it so important.
“If you can encourage your mates, your brothers or your dad to get checked with a simple blood test, then it’s worth having the conversation.”
The Australian Prostate Centre (APC) is a world-class prostate cancer hub in Melbourne that brings clinical care and allied health together under one roof. By joining up diagnosis, treatment and support in the one place, APC helps men move from diagnosis through to treatment faster, with their families supported alongside them.
Through its work with the APC, Storm is helping to promote greater awareness of prostate health and encourage men to take proactive steps when it comes to their health.
APC supports men and their families throughout their prostate cancer journey and works with local and international research partners on clinical trials to help bring new treatments into everyday care.
For Robinson, Father’s Day provides another opportunity for Storm and the APC to remind men to take their prostate health seriously.
“Father’s Day is a good reminder for all the dads out there to look after themselves as well,” Robinson said.
“If you’re at the age where you should be getting checked, have a chat with your doctor and get it done. It could be one of the most important things you do for yourself and your family.”
This Father’s Day, Storm and the APC are encouraging dads, sons, partners and mates to start the conversation and encourage the men in their lives to speak with their GP about prostate health.
For more information about prostate cancer testing and the services available through the Australian Prostate Centre click here.
