General News
17 May, 2024
David joins The Long Ride
WARRNAMBOOL’S David Mills is all too familiar with the frightening statistics surrounding prostate cancer.
Having lost friends to the disease and having seen family members touched by it, Mr Mills is eager to do all he can to promote awareness and raise funds into cancer research.
To do this he has registered for this year’s ‘The Long Ride’ – a journey that will take a group of motorcyclists from Victoria on the long road to Port Douglas.
For Mr Mills and his fellow participants, the ride will begin in Kyneton next Saturday, May 25 and they aim to arrive in Port Douglas – some 3700 kilometres away – the following weekend.
“I absolutely love getting out on my bike and to be able to do that while promoting prostate cancer awareness is pretty special,” he said.
“While there tends to be very little publicity surrounding prostate cancer the statistics are frightening, and they are particularly high in this region.
“Detection can be as easy as a simple blood test but unfortunately many people don’t think to ask for one as part of their routine health checks.
“Too often the cancer has gone undetected and by the time it is detected the outcome isn’t great.”
Since registering for this year’s ride, Mr Mills has raised about $1800 and he’s hoping to increase that figure in the next couple of weeks.
“Every little bit helps so donations of any size are most appreciated,” he said.
“I’m very proud of the amount I’ve raised so far and thankful to my family and friends who’ve gotten behind this worthy cause.”
The Long Ride is expected to attract a large number of riders from all over Australia.
The ride will take the Victorian group through towns such as Echuca, Deniliquin, Hay, West Wyalong, Dubbo, Charleville, Longreach, Winton, Charters Towers and Kuranda.
“It should be quite a scenic ride so hopefully the weather is kind to us,” Mr Mills said.
“Wet weather won’t be ideal because we don’t exactly have room to carry a lot of clothes.
“Nevertheless, it’s for a very important cause and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Prostate cancer specialist nurse with South West Healthcare, Bridget Hill, knows only too well the impact the disease has on south west Victorians.
She currently runs the Warrnambool Prostate Cancer Support Group meetings on a bi-monthly basis.
“Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of that month, from 1pm-2pm at the Warrnambool Men’s Shed in Hyland Street,” Ms Hill said.
“Our next meeting is Wednesday June 5 and all new members and their partners are most welcome.”
Ms Hill said recent findings showed some alarming figures for this region.
“In this region alone we have just over 1200 men living with prostate cancer and figures show 102 new cases every year,” she said.
“Those findings also showed that for every 100 men diagnosed, 11 died from prostate cancer (in this region) within five years while in Australia the number was six.
“That’s a real concern.”
Also of concern were figures showing that 23 per cent of men in this region smoke cigarettes, 74 per cent are overweight or obese and 72 per cent of the total population in this region have no or low physical activity levels.
“We need to encourage men to lead a healthy, active lifestyle and to keep a close eye on their general health,” Ms Hill said.
“And for those who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, our Warrnambool-based support group is open to them and their family and friends.
“It’s a safe place where men can share their experiences, openly discuss their concerns and talk about something that can be quite a sensitive and personal issue.”
