THIS year nearly 3000 Kiwi males will be told they have prostate cancer.
Despite the alarming facts prostate cancer remains a forbidden conversation subject amongst staunch Kiwi blokes.
However, the trade industries of New Zealand are about to play a part in changing all that with a national training organisation programme helping to turn this little-understood issue into a no-nonsense point of discussion, by setting new standards for trade workers throughout the country.
To celebrate the launch of the new programme, the Plumbing, Gas-fitting, Drainlaying and Roof Industry Training Organisation (PGDR ITO) held a charity auction event last Wednesday evening for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
It was an amusing night mixed with a good old-fashioned Kiwi barbeque and testimonies about what it’s like to go through life with prostate cancer.
MC for the night Leigh ‘That Guy’ Hart got the show running and as expected brought a lot of laughter to the 200 audience members with his jokes on the subject.
But it was guest speaker Geoff Thomas’ speech that got everyone, particularly the blokes, listening very cautiously.
Thomas, who hosts the Gateway Outdoors TV show, spoke about his ordeal with prostate cancer.
His humorous but very specifically detailed experience, including having to carry around a urine bag wherever he went and the procedure of having his prostate checked and how it can mar your sex life, made everyone open their eyes widely to the subject.
There were sighs of relief when Thomas said that the disease is treatable, although a few of the men later admitted his speech made them shiver at times.
Outrageous Fortune actor Wesley Dowdell was one.
“It absolutely scared me. My partner and I are usually the only one’s touching my bits and pieces and I don’t want cameras and things being put in the wrong places, if you know what I mean.”
Dowdell, who plays Aaron Spiller in the West Auckland-based series, said he’s one guy that would be very reluctant to go to the doctor for a prostate check-up. But he also thinks it’s a good thing that men are being made more aware of the critical health issue.
“I would be reluctant, especially when you’re dealing with your bits and pieces,” said Dowdell. “But in saying that I think it’s about biting the bullet and doing it, if it’s on your mind or an issue.”
After the auction, Thomas spoke to the Times.
“It’s a serious subject but you don’t have to take it seriously all the time,” said Thomas. “Prostate cancer for men is something that can be handled. If you sort it out it can be dealt with.”
He has a few words for males dealing with the disease.
“For a start make sure you have tests regularly even if you’re feeling fine, because it could be there and you don’t know about it, and most of the time it is,” said Thomas.
