Prostate cancer awareness in Geelong and Warrnambool
A study of intra-regional outcomes and patterns of care, supported by BSWRICS in 2022 and using local data from the Evaluation of Cancer Outcomes Barwon South West (ECOBSW) Registry, found that people diagnosed with prostate cancer in South West Victoria have a considerably lower 5-year survival than the national average, with later disease at presentation in some areas. This work was published as Chilko et al, Aust J Rural Health 2022;30(5):676-682.
To explore factors that may be influencing people presenting with higher risk disease in some regions, BSWRICS partnered with the Geelong and Warrnambool Support Groups to secure funding for a ‘Regional Prostate Cancer Awareness Initiative’ through the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) Community Grant program. The joint effort resulted in a grant of $10,000 from PCFA, with an additional contribution from BSWRICS.
The awareness initiative used thought-provoking posters and a vibrant, geographically targeted social media campaign to advocate for men’s health, promote awareness, ensure early detection of prostate cancer, and safeguard the health of men in the communities of south-west Victoria.
BSWRICS continues its collaborative work with cancer support groups to encourage early detection of prostate cancer among the population in the Barwon South West region of Victoria.
For more information on this project or to request PDF copies of the posters, please contact BSWRICS.
