Dunedin gets stylish for Blue September
One of Dunedin’s most distinguished citizens got swept up in Blue September fever this morning as the city showed its
support for prostate cancer awareness.
Robbie Burns, the city’s best-known monument, now sports a dashing blue cravat to mark Blue September.
While some in the fashion world might think Dunedin is paying tribute to Fashion Week, it is actually a call for the men
of New Zealand to face up to prostate cancer that has driven Robbie’s stylish accessory.
Firemen from the Dunedin Fire Service worked quickly to drape the statue in a 3 metre swathe of fabric which, weather
permitting, will stay in place for the duration of the month-long campaign.
Now into its fifth year Blue September is all about getting men and their loved ones to face up to prostate cancer.
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull is proud that his city is backing the campaign.
“Prostate cancer takes the lives of over 550 Kiwi men every year. That’s too many in my opinion and it’s about time we
all stood up and took some responsibility for our health,” says Mayor Cull.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in NZ men. It is to men what breast cancer is to women. 1 in 10 NZ men will get it in their lifetime.
With approximately 3,000 new cases diagnosed each year and over 550 dying of the disease, prostate cancer touches the
lives of many New Zealanders.
While there’s no way of preventing prostate cancer, the disease is very treatable if caught early enough. Many men are
dying prematurely simply because they didn’t go to the doctor and get checked.
Keith Beck, CEO Prostate Cancer Foundation, says early detection of the disease means those men with prostate cancer
have a chance to be treated before the cancer is incurable.
“Prostate cancer can only be cured when it’s contained within the prostate, once out of the prostate the only treatment
is palliative, which slows it down but doesn’t cure,” he says.
The Blue September message is simple – Get Blue! Face up to prostate cancer! Men over 40 are encouraged to get an annual
check up from their doctor.
Blue September began in New Zealand in 2008 but has now spread internationally, with campaigns occurring simultaneously
in the USA, UK, Ireland and Australia.