More than 10,000 men across regional, remote and metropolitan Queensland, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory are more aware of prostate cancer and initiating health checks following a one-of-a-kind Roadshow program by not-for-profit It’s a Bloke Thing.
The Foundation’s Education Roadshow takes prostate cancer education directly to cities and remote corners, including Darwin, Glen Innes, Toowoomba and Chinchilla.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, and it claims 11 lives every day. For men in rural and regional areas, death rates are 24% greater than those in urban areas.
Registered nurse Ruth Logan runs the program and said It’s a Bloke Thing recognised a gap in rural health support and wanted to take help, awareness, and education directly to where it’s needed most.
“Growing up in the country, I’ve watched too many good men lose their lives because they were too proud or too unsure to get checked,” Ms Logan said.
“That’s why I do what I do – to break down the stigma and get men talking.”
“It’s not meant to be a formal workshop or filled with medical jargon. It’s about having real, honest conversations that men can relate to, from those in city corporate environments through to those on outback stations, in mining camps, and part of Men’s Sheds groups.”
In 2024, Ms Logan spent more than 110 days on the road, delivering direct support to 78 community events. Already in 2025, she’s reached more than 2,300 people in 26 locations.
She says while June marked Men’s Health Month, having a conversation about how you’re feeling with friends, family, and your GP is paramount at any time of year.
“We had a 71-year-old come to one of our Roadshows and he realised he hadn’t been tested since moving towns, so asked his GP for a prostate cancer test. Originally the GP wouldn’t do a test because he had no symptoms — but after our chat, he knew to push for one and it came back high. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer, underwent 39 rounds of radiation, and thankfully today he is in full recovery.”
The roadshow’s impact continues to grow, with upcoming visits planned in Brisbane, Chinchilla, Noosa, Toowoomba, Maroochydore, St George, Dalby, the Gold Coast, and Cleveland.
“With more partnership funding, I am hope to see more nurses join this mission,” Ms Logan said.
“There are so many communities that still need these conversations to help save the lives of our grandfathers, fathers, brothers, sons, and friends.”
To book the It’s a Bloke Thing Education Roadshow for your workplace or community, visit here. To donate, purchase a ‘Virtual Seat’ at It’s a Bloke Thing’s annual Luncheon, held 29 August.
