Central Coast local, Mr Mick Pittman, has helped launch Australia’s first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prostate cancer education resource.
The launch was held at the Bangarra Dance Theatre in Sydney on October 23. The education resources were developed by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA).
Mr Pittman of the Central Coast Aboriginal community is a prostate cancer survivor and PCFA ambassador. He became involved with the PCFA’s support group as soon as he was diagnosed in 2008.
Mick has since trained with the PCFA to provide information and support to Indigenous men and groups prior to and following diagnosis. These culturally specific education resources are the first of their kind and have been developed in consultation with the ATSI community.
Mick is very pleased that culturally specific resources have now been developed and said: “When a black fella sees it, he’ll say that’s for me.” The education resources aim to ensure that all cultural communities in Australia have easy access to information that will help men and their families understand prostate cancer.
Three flipcharts have been specifically developed to provide men in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) communities with balanced information about prostate health, prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment options and advice for carers and partners on how to deal with a cancer diagnosis.
Dr Mick Adams, senior research fellow of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet from Edith Cowan University, said: “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men are not comfortable in discussing issues associated with sexual and reproductive health, including prostate cancer.
“Quality-information availability and awareness are crucial to early identification and decisionmaking in prostate cancer,” Dr Adams said. For information about the new education resources, or to access the Engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities in Prostate Cancer Healthcare Programs monographs, visit www.pcfa.org.au.
Media release, Oct 23,
2015