There are more than 20,000 very important reasons why Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative, Capricorn, has made a dedicated effort to accept donations to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
Following the highly successful Capricorn Cares Farmer’s Drought fundraising initiative conducted last year, Capricorn is dedicating this year’s Capricorn Cares effort to increase awareness and collect donations from its vast member base towards Prostate cancer research.
Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Australia, affecting one in seven men. One of those 20,000 plus men diagnosed last year was Capricorn Member, John Spicer from John Spicer’s Mechanical Repairs in NSW. Like many men, Spicer never thought about Prostate Cancer until a routine blood test revealed that he was suffering from it.
“I never thought about prostate cancer at all, but I needed to get my Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and cholesterol tested every year as part of my medicals needed for my speedway racing. And it was this very simple blood test that showed something was going on” Spicer said.
The impact of the disease made it clear, it’s not just a men’s cancer. It’s a family’s cancer that impacts wives, children, mothers, fathers and friends too.
“My four adult children were extremely shocked and wanted to help out in any way they could. I was initially diagnosed in September last year and I was ok until I had my first radiation treatment. I came back to the office and it hit me - I have cancer.
“My wife took over running the business with a friend to keep our customers happy so I could rest after treatment every day. But I found that I really couldn’t leave the business full time as I had to still do the rego checks and vehicle diagnosing,” Spicer said.
Spicer was more fortunate than most. By getting the simple PSA blood test every year, he was able to catch the disease early. And while he’s not out of the woods just yet, it’s clear that getting tested has significantly increased his chances of making a full recovery.
“By the time symptoms show, that usually means it’s too late. I’m not “all clear” at the moment, but after treatment my PSA levels have halved.
“I want to retire in a few years and enjoy travelling and fishing with my wife. But that wouldn’t be possible without getting tested. I can’t stress it enough. Early detection is a must. Just do it.” Spicer said.
September is prostate cancer awareness month in Australia and New Zealand, making it an apt time for this very special Capricorn Cares awareness and fundraising campaign.
For the sake of your wives, your children, your friends and the other people in your life, ask your doctor for a PSA blood test this month. Even if your doctor says you don’t fit the likely profile, getting tested early is the best way to track changes in your PSA levels in the future, that can indicate the presence of the disease.
The Capricorn Cares fundraising campaign is accepting donations to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. To donate, members should login to capricorn.coop and complete the donation form.
All donations are entirely tax deductible and 100% of all funds raised from this Capricorn Cares campaign in Australia will go directly to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PROSTATE CANCER
• In Australia and New Zealand, Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men.
• More than 20,000 men are diagnosed with Prostate cancer in Australia and New Zealand every year.
• Studies have shown high fat diets and the consumption of processed meats and alcohol can also increase the risks of cancer.
The Prostate Specific Antigen Test (PSA Test) is a simple blood test and the most common screening tool for the early detection of Prostate cancer. It might be the most important test you’ll ever do, but the reality is, too many men put it off until it’s too late.
For more information on Prostate cancer visit prostate.org.au.