Often swept under the carpet, prostate cancer claims about 3,000 lives in Australia each year.

The men aired their frustration about not being able to access specialists in Canberra, who have huge waiting lists of up to six months and the lack of a support group for Cooma men to share their experience.

Several who have undergone surgery for prostate cancer sang praises of those community nurses and doctors in Cooma with special interests in men’s health problems.

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia ambassador John Hayhoe spoke personally of his experience with prostate cancer and told the men how vital it was that they regularly see their doctor for a PSA blood test and check-ups once they reach 40.

“I didn’t know about getting a PSA test at 40,” Mr Hayhoe said.

“It gives a good base reading and the doctors can trace any spike in the PSA levels from there.”

Mr Hayhoe said often there were no early symptoms for the disease but eating more fish, fruit and vegetables, less red meat, reducing stress levels and exercising regularly to maintain a healthy weight could help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Mr Hayhoe said men are so fearful of impotence and incontinence as a result of surgery for prostate cancer that they avoid the issue, but testing and regular check-ups can detect any abnormality early reducing the risk of these post surgery symptoms.

“Men seem to bury their heads in the sand about this sort of thing but early detection is the point,” he said.

“That’s why it’s good to see quite a few ladies along tonight, they know what their partner’s up to and what they’re not doing about the problem.”

Cooma’s Chris Reeks backed those statements when he spoke of his diagnosis in 2006.

“It is important to remember every one’s different,” he said.

When Mr Reeks went to his doctor for a regular check-up in October 2006 his PSA levels had doubled.

After more tests and biopsies Mr Reeks underwent surgery in February 2007. Regular checks showed a second increase in PSA earlier this year and Mr Reeks spent 10 weeks in Sydney where he underwent radiotherapy.

“I am a huge advocate of early testing I think it’s a brilliant idea,” Mr Reeks said.

For more information about prostate cancer or if you have any concerns visit your GP.