Healthworks Pharmacy & Otago Students help raise funds for Prostate Cancer

Staff and students at the Blue Spirit Day bake sale

Otago pharmacy students and staff have just wrapped up their Blue Spirit Day, a bake sale to raise both funds and awareness for The Prostate Cancer Foundation. According to post-graduate student and organiser Yasmin Abdul Aziz, the university's Hunter centre was buzzing. "We've just finished counting and we reached $542.50, which surpassed our goal of $500, so we're very happy" says Miss Abdul Aziz.

This month is Blue September, the Prostate Cancer Foundation's national awareness campaign, which is encouraging New Zealanders to get the word out about the nation's most commonly diagnosed cancer among men. "It was our first charity event like this, and I'm really pleased," says Miss Abdul Aziz, who is a locum pharmacist and pHD student. The bake sale was a competition between undergrads and staff with post-grads, facing each other off over a table of baking.

They also had guest speaker Ken Cook from the Prostate Cancer Foundation explaining how essential donations are to the charity. "It was so great to see everyone, whether it be staff or students, coming out in support of this cause," says Miss Abdul Aziz.

One Kiwi man is diagnosed with prostate cancer every three hours, and it kills around 600 men every year, according to the latest research from the Prostate Cancer Foundation. The risk goes up significantly for those with a family history of the disease. Prostate Cancer Foundation chief executive Graeme Woodside says awareness of the issue is moderate at best. "It's an awful reality check to discover just how many men are affected in New Zealand and for most people there will be at least one man in their circle who will develop prostate cancer at some point," Mr Woodside says.

As well as holding their own 'Blue Do', pharmacists can display merchandise such as blue ribbon donation boxes and posters. "Basically what we'd really like them to do is promote awareness," says Mr Woodside. Pharmacist Natalie Blake and her team at Healthworks pharmacy in Christchurch have stepped up to the plate, displaying all the advertising material, and are planning to go blue for a day on 21 September. "We'll dress up in blue and we're still in the process of thinking of other ideas, but maybe have some cupcakes with blue icing to give to customers," says Ms Blake. "We want to make it a bit of fun and raise awareness." 

She says pharmacies can definitely help encourage men to be more proactive about their health, by making the most of the opportunities they get with their customers. "Men tend to seek healthcare less frequently than women, so it's creating an awareness that it's out there and if you're worried about anything, just get it checked out," Ms Blake says. According to the research, Kiwi guys are okay with 'getting the finger', but only two in five men will ask for the test from their doctor. Mr Woodside says all men over 40 should be taking responsibility to ask for it, with those aged 45 - 54 being most at risk. Nearly half of survivors reported no symptoms when they were first diagnosed, and Mr Woodside emphasises the fact that early detection saves lives.

"Prostate cancer can be treated effectively when it is caught early and before it spreads outside the prostate gland," he says.

Source: www.pharmacytoday.co.nz/news/2017/september-2017/05/making-september-blue-for-prostate-cancer.aspx, viewed 6 September 2017