Minerals industry supports better prostate health

The Minerals Council of Australia has joined forces with the Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia to help raise awareness about prostate cancer among the minerals industry’s 240,000 strong workforce.

The new partnership will aim to educate the minerals’ workforce on screening and treatment options and also support for survivors and loved ones.

Industry will be encouraged to host a PCFA Ambassadors for workplace health awareness sessions and even light up their own Big Aussie Barbies.

“We hope that lighting up the barbie will ignite the mining industry’s passion for helping us defeat prostate cancer,” said PCFA CEO Professor Jeff Dunn AO.

“Prostate cancer is an important public health issue – one in every seven Australian men are likely to be diagnosed during their lifetime and 200,000 Aussie men are alive today after a diagnosis,” he said.

MCA CEO Tania Constable said that with health and safety the number one priority of Australia’s minerals sector, the organisation was immensely proud to be partnering with PCFA.

“Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men and tragically about 3,500 Australian men die of the disease each year,” she said.

“This program will help to improve understanding of prostate cancer in the mining sector and make men and their families more mindful of their risks, while raising awareness of support available.”

What you can do

As part of industry’s commitment to safety, health and wellbeing, the MCA is partnering with the Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia to raise awareness about the disease and how to beat it across the mining workforce.

Prostate cancer is a significant public health issue in Australia.  One in seven men is likely to be diagnosed with the disease during their lifetime and 200,000 men are alive today after a diagnosis.  Tragically, 3,500 Australian men still die each year from the disease.

The partnership involves the MCA encouraging industry to

• Host a PCFA Ambassador at mine sites, offices and projects.  Located across Australia, PCFA Ambassadors are trained to deliver prostate cancer awareness information.
• Host a Big Aussie Barbie – an informal way of raising awareness and funds prostate cancer awareness and research
• Share health awareness information, including in internal networks and within communities.

The MCA can also connect interested groups with PCFA to organise health awareness events.

Download the poster – PCFA/MCA Promotional Poster 2019.pdf