David Harrison is the founder of the Corowa Prostate Cancer Awareness and Support Group.
One in five Australian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer with 72 men being diagnosed every day.
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Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among men across Federation Shire and now a support group is being set up to help those with the illness.
Founder, David Harrison said every man and his family has a unique prostate cancer experience.
Some men can have limited treatment and move on, for others it may be a lifelong battle.
Often men may be reticent or have no need to discuss this, but their partners may be looking for support.
The Corowa Prostate Cancer Awareness and Support Group launches this month, in affiliation with the Prostate Cancer Federation of Australia to provide information and resources.
David Harrison said support for men battling the potentially terminal illness was crucial.
“Men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer have a 70 per cent increased chance of suicide in the first six months after diagnosis,” he said.
“Although a lot of men are fine with it, many are not; especially men who live alone.
“In our shire, 30 per cent of households are single person households, so we have a lot of men who live alone.
“I know men who live alone and have been through this. Looking back, I don’t know how they got through it alone.”
Former Federation Citizen of the Year Leo Anic is a member of the support group.
Federation’s 2024 Citizen of the Year, Leo Anic said the group would also raise awareness about prostate cancer.
“For men in their 50s, it’s one of those things in the back of your mind, because you get to that age bracket where things need to be checked,” Leo said.
“The group is trying to make sure people know it's not as scary as what they think it is, and support is available within the community.”
The support group will meet at the Corowa Golf Club, on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
There is no joining fee, and the group is open to any person who is directly or indirectly affected by prostate cancer.
Partners, families, support workers and those with the illness are invited to join.
The first meeting will be at Corowa Golf Club at 7pm on Wednesday, September 24.
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