During June, The Cancer Council South Australia is asking people to ‘dig deep’ for Loose Change Day to help raise funds for men’s cancer research, information and support programs in South Australia.

Around 11,000 Australian men are diagnosed with prostate or testicular cancer each year. Nationally, around the same number die from men’s cancers every year, as women die of breast cancer.

It’s easy to make a difference for men affected by cancer and their families - simply fill up the specially marked Messenger Bag delivered on 21 June, drop it in to any BankSA branch or make an online donation at www.cancersa.org.au.

Current Cancer Council Fellowship recipient, Dr Andrew Sakko, is researching ways to further control the growth of prostate cancer.

“As part of my fellowship, I am working to identify and initiate testing of new strategies to control prostate cancer growth, helping many men with aggressive prostate cancer,” said Dr Sakko.

According to Associate Professor Brenda Wilson, chief executive, The Cancer Council South Australia, “Every year in South Australia alone around 1,070 men will be diagnosed with prostate or testicular cancers and approximately 270 men will die as a consequence.”

“By making a donation, the community can help researchers like Dr Sakko to continue their search for more effective prostate cancer treatments.”

The Cancer Council hopes to raise $100,000 to help raise awareness about men’s cancers, together with funding research and support initiatives.

For those who miss their Messenger bag, people can make a donation online at www.cancersa.org.au, or by phoning the events hotline on 1300 65 65 85 at any time throughout June.

For current information about any aspect of men’s cancers, please call The Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20.