General News
5 September, 2026
Shining the light on prostate cancer
WARRNAMBOOL’S skyline is set to turn blue this month as South West Healthcare (SWH) joins forces with local organisations to shine a light on prostate cancer.
The month-long campaign aims to encourage local men to start a conversation about their prostate health.
The campaign, which began last Friday (August 28), will see the Fletcher Jones Silver Ball and the two tower cranes overlooking the almost $400 million Warrnambool Base Hospital redevelopment site, light up in blue.
SWH prostate cancer specialist nurse Bridget Hill said the campaign was about making prostate cancer visible and encouraging men to take action.
“Prostate health can be a difficult conversation for men to have, but it is a conversation worth having,” she said.
“We want to create a visual reminder for men and their families to learn about prostate cancer, understand their risks and seek advice if they have concerns.
“We want to get people talking – because starting the conversation is an important first step.”
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Australian men, with almost 29,000 Australian men expected to be diagnosed in 2026.
Around 11 Australian men die from prostate cancer every day.
The need for awareness is particularly important in regional communities.
Men living in regional and rural areas of Australia have an approximately 24 per cent higher rate of dying from prostate cancer than men living in urban areas.
Locally, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in males in the Barwon South West region, while Warrnambool has a higher risk of prostate cancer-related mortality than the Victorian average.
SWH’s prostate cancer specialist nurse is funded by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and provides free support to men and their families affected by prostate cancer throughout south west Victoria.
The service is available to anyone who would like information, support or advice about prostate cancer.
Men and their families can self-refer and do not need to wait for a referral from a doctor.
“Whether you have questions about prostate cancer, have been diagnosed, are supporting someone who has been diagnosed, or simply want to understand more about your own risk, we encourage you to get in touch,” Ms Hill said.
The campaign also coincided with last weekend’s The Great Australian Pigeon Race – a creative event between SWH and the Warrnambool Pigeon Racing Club to raise vital funds towards the purchase of a prostate cancer detector system for Warrnambool Base Hospital.
