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Men's health shortfalls spur on Call To Arms

South Australian men have been issued a frightening wake up Call To Arms, demanding they take personal action for their health.

Cancer Council SA says results of a new SA Health report, pointing to their higher risk of dying from avoidable causes and less propensity to visit their GP, shows there’s plenty of room for men to take greater responsibility.

The report identifies men consume twice as much alcohol and have a significantly higher smoking rate than women.
Lifestyle factors are a significant contributor to cancer which is diagnosed in 1 in 2 men by age 85, and kills almost 2,000 South Australian men each year.

“Many men don’t realise that up to 50 per cent of cancers are preventable,” says Cancer Council SA Acting Chief Executive, Stephen Faulkner.

“We can all reduce our cancer risk by not smoking, reducing alcohol intake, eating healthily and exercising.

“It’s also vital that we take action if we notice any changes in our health by getting them checked out.

“For example, few people 50 and over realise that a two yearly bowel cancer screening test done in the privacy of their own home could identify bowel cancer early when survival rates reach 88 per cent (compared to 7 per cent for advanced bowel cancer).

“This report reflects the importance of Cancer Council SA’s Call To Arms, a month long focus challenging sporting clubs to tackle men’s cancers through increased awareness and fundraising.”

The Adelaide Crows, Adelaide United, Football Federation SA and SA Amateur Football League are getting behind the cause – some staging specific Call To Arms matches during July.

Grassroots clubs are also urged to don yellow armbands, signifying support for men who have survived cancer, and remembrance of mates who have been lost to the disease.

“Cancer Council SA thanks Crows ambassadors Patrick Dangerfield and Nathan Van Berlo as well as Adelaide United’s Lucas Pantelis for their efforts highlighting men’s health and reminds others to consider what personal steps they should take to keep their health on track.”

Cancer Council SA Helpline may be able to assist by phoning 13 11 20.

For more info about Call To Arms visit www.calltoarms.com.au or call 1300 65 65 85.

Statistics on men’s cancers in SA
• About 4,900 South Australian men are diagnosed with cancer each year.
• By this time tomorrow, 13 South Australian men will have heard the words ‘you have cancer’.
• The most common cancers facing men in SA are lung, colorectal and prostate cancer.
• The Australian survival rate for many common cancers has increased by more than 30 per cent in the past two decades.
• While more than 60 per cent of South Australian men will now survive a cancer diagnosis, cancer remains the leading cause of death.  Every year about 1,900 SA men will lose their lives as a result of the disease.
• Many men don’t realise that up to 50 per cent of cancers are preventable.  You can reduce your cancer risk by not smoking, reducing alcohol intake, eating healthily and exercising.
• Not smoking, or giving up, is the single most effective strategy to prevent cancer.  Nationally, one in nine cancer cases, and more than one in five cancer deaths (more than 7,700 every year) are caused by cigarette smoking.
• Those with questions about cancer can call the Cancer Council SA Helpline on 13 11 20.



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