The month of September is dedicated to Prostate Cancer Awareness. It is a month when all men are encouraged to ensure that they are not one of the possible candidates for causing most deaths among men, prostate cancer. And, it could be avoided.

Every man should have themselves tested depending on their circumstances. All men who have any family history of cancer should take the steps necessary to ensure they are clear of cancer at the age of forty.

All men, at the age of fifty, regardless of family history, should discuss the matter with their doctor and insist in being tested.

There are some signs that may indicate that the prostate is enlarged or cancerous. A man could develop pain in the groin area or while urinating. There could be blood in the urine. But the best warning light is frequent visits to the bathroom. And sadly, there may be no signs at all, which also highlights the need to have a visit with the doctor.

The statistics do not lie. Over 4,000 men died each year in Australia from prostate cancer, while 26,000 who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer are living normal lives today due the research efforts of the Cancer Foundation of Australia.

The Parkes Prostate Cancer Awareness and Support Group, though small in number, are available to advise and support all, including the family, through the process.

A member of the Group may be contacted through the Parkes Neighbourhood Central or one can reach out to the Oncology Nurse at Orange Health Service.

If you’re one of the estimated 20% of Australians that suffer from hayfever, Spring is not a time for celebration but rather a time of sneezing, mucus and the dreaded itchy eyes! Allergic conjunctivitis is the bane of many hay fever sufferers so what is the best way to manage your itchy eyes?

1. Avoid your allergy triggers. Plants, grasses or pollens that trigger your allergy symptoms should be avoided. Try saving outdoor activities for the evening or just before dawn when the pollen count is lower.

2. Keep allergens away. Regularly washing your face, hair and around your eyes, frequently changing your clothing and linen can help to remove the little allergen particles that accumulate.

3. Treat your itchy eyes with medication. Over the counter antihistamine eye rops can provide relief for the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. Avoid using the “red eye” drops. These temporarily hide the redness without addressing the cause of your red, itchy eyes. For persistent allergy, use a mast cell stabiliser eyedrop leading up to and during spring to act as a preventative. These are available as a combination drop alongside an antihistamine.

4. Treat any concurrent dry eye disease. Having dry eyes will exacerbate your allergic conjunctivitis symptoms and our tears act as a natural means of flushing allergens out of our eyes. Watch out with taking oral antihistamines as these can cause dry eyes.

Book an appointment at Hansens Optometrists where we can formulate a personalised plan. We can prescribe more effective eye drops and treat other eye problems that might be masquerading as allergy symptoms.

Since being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2021, rugby league legend Royce Simmons has turned his personal battle into a mission to find a cure for dementia. In 2022, he launched the inaugural Royce’s Big Walk, trekking 300 kilometres from Gooloogong to Penrith and raising significant funds for dementia research and awareness.

What began as a single fundraising event quickly became an annual movement. Royce has since completed walks from Dubbo to Bathurst in 2023, continued the campaign in 2024 around Sydney, and walked from Penrith to Mudgee in 2025.

Along the way, thousands of supporters, local communities, rugby league legends and business partners have rallied behind the cause.

This year, Royce Simmons will embark on the Big Walk 2026 from Gilgandra to Cowra.

On Monday, August 24, Rugby League Legend Royce Sommins set off from Gilgandra on the first leg of his 12 day, Big Walk for 2026.

A fundraising Dinner for Royce was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstance but everyone is invited to pop down to the Coachman Hotel Motel on Saturday night 29 August to meet Royce and his fellow walkers. Donations can be made on the website: https://donate.roycesimmonsfoundation.com.au/register/fundraise

August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, making it a great time to focus on one of the most overlooked parts of a child’s wellbeing: their vision.

Good vision is essential for learning, development, coordination, and confidence.

The problem is that children often don’t know when they’re not seeing well. They won’t tell you because they assume everyone sees the world the same way they do.

Instead, they adapt. They might sit closer to the television, tilt their head, avoid reading, or simply appear distracted or reluctant to engage with schoolwork. These changes can be subtle and easy for even the most attentive parent or teacher to miss.

Every child should have a comprehensive eye examination before starting school and then every one to two years after that.

At any age, it’s worth arranging an eye test if your child sits very close to screens or books, has one eye that drifts or turns, persistently tilts their head, squints, rubs their eyes when they’re not tired, loses their place while reading, complains of headaches after school, or suddenly develops a dislike of reading or schoolwork.

School vision screening programs can be helpful, but they don’t detect every eye condition and aren’t a substitute for a comprehensive eye examination. Some childhood eye conditions are genuinely time sensitive. Amblyopia, or “lazy eye”, is highly treatable when detected early, but becomes much more difficult to improve after about seven or eight years of age.

The safety side of the equation is just as important.

Encourage children to spend time outdoors. It’s one of the few measures proven to reduce the risk of children becoming short-sighted, with around two hours outside each day making a real difference.

With spring just around the corner, it’s also worth remembering that UV levels climb quickly at this time of year. Children’s eyes naturally allow more ultraviolet light to reach the retina than adult eyes, making good sun protection especially important. A broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard are simple, inexpensive ways to help protect their eyes.

The good news is that comprehensive eye examinations for children are covered by Medicare, and you don’t need a referral.