Oral Presentation (max 20 mins including Q&A) National Men's Health Gathering 2025

Strong Men Strong Communities: Empowering Aboriginal Champions Across Generations to Break the Silence on Prostate Cancer (129332)

Michelle King-Okoye 1 , Tim Shaw 2 , David Edwards 2 , Mick Adams 3 , Susan Semple 1 , David Ogunniyi 4 , Gordon Rigney 5 , Vishnu Khanal 6 , Tina Brodie 1 , Norma Bulamu 7 , Gordon Rigney 5 , Zane Gunter 5 , Micah Peters 1
  1. University of South Australia, North Terrace, ADELAIDE, Australia
  2. University of Sydney, Sydney
  3. University of Newcastle , Newcastle
  4. University of Adelaide, Adelaide
  5. Moorundi Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service, Victor Harbor
  6. Menzies School of Health Research , Darwin
  7. Flinders University, Adelaide

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed male cancer in Australia and globally. Experiences are often overlooked especially for men from First Nations heritage in Australia. Evidence shows that PCa incidence rates are most likely to be under-reported for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, who are diagnosed at younger ages and advanced disease-stages and do not fully engage with health services due to feelings of shame, distrust, lack of availability of culturally appropriate and gender responsive service. The cultural silence also relates to the cultural stigma and sensitivities around sexual and reproductive changes. PCa associated and other sexual health issues are labelled as ‘men’s business’ for Aboriginal men. This culturally aligns with the unique role of male community champions enabling men to engage in sensitive discussions in culturally appropriate and safe spaces. Community champions are best placed to facilitate prostate cancer awareness, co-develop culturally safe, community-led resources to empower and strengthen Aboriginal men, help them navigate health services with resilience, support and improve their health outcomes. Drawing from scholarly work and cultural consultation with Elders and wider Aboriginal communities, we highlight the significant role of community champions towards fostering intergenerational dialogue with Elders and younger Aboriginal men to break the silence around PCa in Aboriginal communities.