Liz Heggaton has been on the front lines of advocacy for prostate cancer awareness inside the federal parliament. She is inspired by the tragic loss of her husband, Craig Heggaton. At the age of 56, Craig was diagnosed with prostate cancer and he began androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Sadly, he died by suicide last year, a fate that underscores the need for greater awareness and support surrounding the disease.
Prostate cancer is an important health issue for Aboriginal Australians, killing close to 50 men in Tony Seabrook’s small community of La Perouse near Sydney. As an advocate for prostate cancer awareness, Seabrook wants to foster conversations and remove any stigma that surrounds the disease. He believes that many men in the community are avoiding conversations about their health, stating, “Every time I’ve brought the subject up amongst the friends of mine that have been through the path of having the cancer and having it treated … they don’t want to talk about it.”
The Impact of Prostate Cancer
Those statistics related to prostate cancer are horrifying. According to Anne Savage, there is “a 70 per cent increased risk of suicide” among men diagnosed with this disease. This statistic reveals a crucial aspect of prostate cancer that often goes unnoticed: the psychological toll it takes on patients. Savage points out that this risk is “at least partially attributable to the fact they are not being offered the support and the information they require when they are diagnosed and recommended life-changing treatments like ADT.”
Craig Heggaton’s case exemplifies this issue. His widow, Liz Heggaton, remembers that even though ADT is effective at treating cancer, it took a severe toll on her husband’s mental health. “We certainly don’t want men to stop taking ADT, but in Craig’s case it absolutely messed with his mental wellbeing — it was like he slipped into the abyss,” she said. This underscores the importance of scalable and holistic systems of support for men in treatment.
Raising Awareness and Support
Liz Heggaton’s mission is clear: she aims to advocate for prostate cancer awareness and prevention at a national level. On her itinerary, a meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Joined by Congresspeople, advocates, and health leaders, together they will urge their sharp focus on acknowledging and addressing prostate cancer as an essential public health priority. “I will be trying to talk to as many politicians as I can to push the agenda of ‘please take this deadly disease more seriously,’” she stated.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia has long been at the forefront of supporting efforts to fight this disease. At the state level, they have provided $35.4 million in grants for specialized nurse support programs. These resources are key for equipping patients with the knowledge and support they need while navigating their treatment journey.
Seabrook is adamant about the fact that lives can be saved with early diagnosis of cardiac issues. He urges men to take charge of their health: “Mate, it’s your bloody health — this can kill you or it can maim you. Get on it, be in charge of it.” This proactive approach would increase chances of earlier detection and improve the quality of life and outcomes for constituents affected by prostate cancer.
The Call for Change
Even after years of attempts to raise awareness, prostate cancer health still falls by the wayside for a large number of men. Seabrook notes a stark contrast between men’s and women’s attitudes towards screening. He points out that “women are far more conscious of the requirement to [get] the mammograms and the testing for [breast cancer], but most blokes say, ‘Nah mate, I’m off to the footy.’” This cultural barrier is the biggest obstacle in our way to make real progress on addressing prostate cancer’s toll on men’s health.
Despite the challenges, Anne Savage is optimistic about continuing progress in awareness and treatment options. “Our overarching goal is zero deaths from prostate cancer within 10 years,” she affirmed. In order to do this, we need to work with government officials and healthcare providers. Together, we can make sure that men have the right information and support they need.
