Pub patrons told not to punt on their prostates

Dr Lisa Philp, researcher for the Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre of Queensland, based at the PA Hospital campus.

Six pubs in the Sunshine Coast and Noosa region will be reminding their patrons not to punt on their prostate through June and July.

Australian Venue Co (AVC), through its now decade long partnership with the PA Research Foundation’s MANDATE men’s health initiative, will drive the tongue in cheek campaign in its Sunshine Coast and Noosa venues, as they seek to raise awareness of men’s health and prostate cancer and raise vital funds for research.

Sunshine Coast venues Kings Beach Tavern, Currimundi Hotel, Chancellors Tavern, Sands Tavern, Surfair Beach Hotel and the Royal Mail Hotel in Tewantin are all taking on the challenge of raising funds and awareness.

Each venue will be decked out in MANDATE promotional material with the message ‘DON’T PUNT ON YOUR PROSTATE’ as well as the tag line– get a check and put the odds in your favour. Almost all of the AVC venues will host tradie barbecues each Friday, where staff will also don aprons with the concept on the front to help foster conversations about prostate cancer.

“We know there is thousands of men around Queensland who enjoy having a bet at their local AVC venue and that’s why we know this year’s ‘don’t punt on your prostate’ concept will resonate with them,” PA Research Foundation Chief Executive Officer Damian Topp said.

“This winter we’re asking men to not only make a yearly date with their GP but not to take a punt on the fact their prostate is fine when a simple PSA blood test is a great way of finding out if there is any potential issue there.

“Our decade long partnership with AVC has resulted in more than $1.2 million raised for crucial prostate cancer research. Equally important as the funds raised, have been the conversations around prostate cancer in AVC venues that have been sparked by their support of MANDATE. That is what this year’s concept is all about, starting conversations and educating men that the best way to survive a prostate cancer diagnosis is early detection, detection that can only occur if they get checked by their GP.

“Thanks to AVC’s dedication to MANDATE we’ve been able to fund the work of the PA Hospital based Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre of Queensland and their promising precision medicine approaches to treating prostate cancer.

*According to Australian Government figures, more than 18,000 Australian men were estimated to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2021. The same figures indicate 12 per cent of all male deaths from cancer in 2021 were as a result of a prostate cancer diagnosis.

You can find your nearest AVC venue via ausvenueco.com.au