By Jena Carr
Geelong’s Alan Barlee has received the national Max Gardner Award for his ongoing service in helping raise awareness of prostate cancer.
The award was presented to the prostate cancer survivor at the Geelong Prostate Cancer Support Group’s 20th Anniversary event on Friday, June 30, and aimed to recognise Mr Barlee’s efforts reducing the impacts of prostate cancer locally.
Mr Barlee said he first encountered prostate cancer in 2003 when he was 61 and has been managing the metastatic disease, which is the spreading of cancer cells in the body.
“I’ve been something of an assiduous student of the clinical research with benefit of the Internet,” he said.
“Through constructive dialogue with my physicians, we’ve always managed to agree on next steps and unfortunately there’s been a number of them.”
Mr Barlee said he “couldn’t quite believe” that he would receive the award for supporting other men with prostate cancer as a Geelong Prostate Support Group member.
“It’s a nice feeling to have that peer recognition but it was the last thing I was expecting to hear about,” he said.
“There’s a great lack of knowledge among guys who tend not to seek medical attention very often until it’s a bit late, particularly with cancers.”
Mr Barlee said that “patient empowerment is critical” and men needed to be more educated on their health.
“We’ve got a bit of ground to make up with males to take a more active interest in their health,” he said.
“That means understanding what tests there are, what symptoms one should be aware of, and getting familiar with the pathology and imaging results.
“A lot of guys just don’t go to the doctor until they’re absolutely forced too, very often by their partners, and this macho attitude that I can tough it out, it’s not smart.”
