Dr Michael Clark will be attending the gathering to discuss any health concerns, particularly those relating to the prostate and prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is a potentially life-threatening disease. Each year about 18,700 Australian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. That means that almost one in 11 men will develop prostate cancer during his lifetime.

More than 3000 men die from the disease each year which makes prostate cancer the second largest cause of male cancer deaths, after lung cancer.

Prostate cancer occurs when some of the cells of the prostate reproduce much more rapidly than they would in a normal prostate.

This causes a swelling or tumour. Prostate cancer cells eventually break out of the prostate and invade distant parts of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes.

This produces secondary tumours. Once the cancer escapes from the prostate, treatment is possible, but “cure” becomes impossible; however, provided appropriate treatment commences while the cancer is still confined to the prostate, it is possible to “cure” it. This is why early diagnosis is critical.

One of the most worrying things about prostate cancer is that it often develops without men experiencing any symptoms; however, one or more of the following symptoms can be experienced by men with prostate cancer: waking frequently at night to urinate; sudden or urgent need to urinate; difficulty in starting to urinate; slow flow of urine and difficulty in stopping; discomfort when urinating; painful ejaculation; blood in the urine or semen; decrease in libido; reduced ability to get an erection.

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, come to the men’s gathering where you can discuss them with Dr Michael Clark.

A free barbecue will also be available at the gathering to be held on March 25 at 6pm at the Golf Club.