Spreading the NAVIGATE word - The Prostate Zone

Visiting Government House

Fiona and I were fortunate to attend Victoria’s Government House as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

We were really excited to meet Her Excellency, the Governor, Linda Dessau. We grabbed the chance to tell her about the NAVIGATE trial for men with low-risk prostate cancer. The Governor was kind enough to let us bend her ear on the subject and even have a photo taken with her.

Alan White with Victorian Governor, Linda Dessau, and Fiona White — Victoria’s Governor, Her Excellency Linda Dessau, with Alan White and Fiona White.

Men’s Sheds in Victoria

I have been doubly lucky on the social engagement front recently, because I also attended a Government House function last week in honour of the Men’s Shed movement in Victoria. It was great to see so many men (and their partners) receive acknowledgement for their support of this state’s Men’s Sheds.

9th Annual Victorian Healthcare Week Expo

On Tuesday, I attended the 9th Annual Victorian Healthcare Week Expo as a presenter. My presentation of Wounding the Soul was part of the patient experience stream. This talk addresses the profound emotional, physical and mental impact of prostate cancer surgery on men and their partners. I also took the chance to stress the importance of the NAVIGATE trial for men who have recently been diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer.

Associate Professor Munjed Al Muderis delivered a presentation on his current work with amputees. It was great to meet him. We spoke briefly about prostate cancer and he kindly allowed me to have a photo taken with him. I find him and his work so inspiring.