Prostate cancer patient Alec Hamilton travelled from Mount Gambier to Tailem Bend in a wheelchair recently to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer treatment.

Mr Hamilton’s ‘Push for Prostate’ initiative raised money for cancer treating laser equipment for the Mount Gambier Hospital.

While he had originally planned to travel to Adelaide, health issues cut the trip short at Tailem Bend.

The team of 12 left Mount Gambier on March 18, stopping at each of the major towns along the way to Adelaide to give a presentation highlighting the importance of testing for prostate cancer.

Mr Hamilton said the biggest problem he found in the towns was a lack of medical professionals.

“Keith has only recently got a doctor so there was no one between Tailem Bend and Bordertown,” he said.

“In Culburra, they travel 100km each way to Meningie to see a doctor so when these men need to get a prostate test they are not bothering. They are only making the journey if they absolutely need to.

“I am going to work with our local politician in the hopes of having a prostate screening van travel around, similar to what is done for breast screening to ensure men will get checked.”

Mr Hamilton is using his experience to inform men of the importance of regular prostate testing.

“I spoke to a guy yesterday and he said the last time he got checked was five years ago,” he said.

“My test was normal one month and three months later it had doubled so if you are only getting checked once every five years you might not make it to your next test.

“It is recommended if you have a history of prostate cancer in the family to start getting checked at 40 years old and if there is no history to get checked at 50.

“After my experience I would be getting tested every six months despite the suggestion to get tested annually.

“An annual test is free and to get tested more regularly there is a cost incurred but if it saves your life it is priceless.

“As far as I am concerned my doctor saved my life with regular testing.”