Victoria has committed $150,000 to the Australian Prostate Centre as former football stars return to Marvel Stadium to raise money for prostate cancer research and patient care.
Medical Research Minister Anthony Carbines confirmed the funding ahead of Thursday night’s Four’N Twenty Legends Game, which pits Team Victoria against the All Stars.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Australian men, with one in five expected to develop the disease during their lifetime.
“Prostate cancer affects too many Victorian families and Labor is proud to support the Australian Prostate Centre in its work to save lives,” Mr Carbines said.
The centre provides treatment and support for men with prostate cancer while conducting research into prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Its work comes as Australia continues to direct a relatively small share of its health budget towards preventing illness.
Research Paper No. 18 of The Balance Sheet, published this month, found Australia spends about $5.4 billion a year on prevention, equivalent to $2 of every $100 spent on health. The National Preventive Health Strategy has set a target of 5 per cent.
The paper said published research had placed the return from preventive health measures as high as $14 for every dollar invested, although it cautioned that figure represented an upper estimate. It found prevention often delayed future healthcare costs rather than eliminating them, with its principal benefit being additional years of healthy life.
The Legends Game is organised by RULE Prostate Cancer, a partnership between the Australian Prostate Centre and the E.J. Whitten Foundation.
“The Legends Game is a great Victorian tradition that brings footy fans together while raising vital funds for research and care,” Mr Carbines said.
The foundation was established in honour of former Footscray captain and coach Ted Whitten Sr, who died from prostate cancer in 1995. It has raised more than $15 million for men’s health through the Legends Game and other programs.
Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said the government was also supporting cancer services across Victoria.
“We’re investing in world-class cancer care so Victorians can access the treatment, care and support they need, when they need it,” she said.
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