MGM Wellness Program | The Long Run | Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men and the second most commonly diagnosed cancer overall, with about 16,700 men diagnosed each year. 

Every 25 minutes, one of our fathers, sons or brothers will hear the news he has prostate cancer.

During the month of September, as part of our Wellness Program, Mount Gravatt Mazda took part in The Long Run, a physical challenge which encourages people to run, walk or wheel 72km to raise awareness and funds for those impacted by prostate cancer. The aim is to raise awareness of the harmful impacts caused by one of Australia’s most common cancers.

Fast facts about prostate cancer.

• Tragically, more than 3100 Australian men will die of the disease this year, leaving families and communities in grief.
• While prostate cancer has one of the highest cancer survival rates, the lifelong impacts of treatment can be devastating for many men, including incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and weight gain caused by hormonal therapy.
• Men impacted by prostate cancer also experience a 70 per cent increased risk of suicide.
• More men die of prostate cancer than women die of breast cancer

"Our Wellness program aims to create an organisational culture of health through a collection of initiatives and activities that promotes employee well-being. We committed to partake in The Long Run for our family, friends, colleagues, customers and for our community," said Monique Mason, Marketing Manager.

“We were looking forward to taking on 72km to help inspire action and awareness. We also wanted to raise awareness within our MGM family.

Every kilometre we covered bought us closer to a world where prostate cancer can be effectively treated, where side effects can be overcome, and where all men have access to life-saving care and support.

All of us know someone who has been impacted by prostate cancer. We took part to make a difference in The Long Run, for all men and families like mine.”

By 2040 it is predicted there will be 372,000 men living with or beyond prostate cancer in Australia, representing a 76 per cent increase and the greatest number of men or women diagnosed with any single cancer.

Australia has one of the highest rates of prostate cancer in the world, with one in every six Australian men likely to be diagnosed by age 85.

About 70 per cent of Australians don’t know the signs and symptoms, with adverse impacts on early detection and survival outcomes.

We’d love for you to support us and make a donation to PCFA (Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia). Every dollar will support men and their families impacted by prostate cancer. It's not too late to donate.

Resources

For more information on prostate cancer please see these resources:

Cancer Council Queensland

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

Health Direct - Government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice