Australia is a big country and men’s health is a big issue, so Canberra pharmacist Brad Butt put the two together to create ‘The Big Lap’ of Australia.
Brad has jumped into a four-wheel drive and caravan (with family in tow) to visit as many Aussie men as possible to get them to talk about their health.
Speaking to Forefront from his latest stopover, Cape Tribulation in far north Queensland, Brad says it’s important for men to chat about issues that they often put off talking about, such as ‘urogenital health’.
“That is pertaining to the prostate, penis, testis and continence. We know these issues affect loads of men. (For example) erectile dysfunction affects more than one million Aussie men, 24,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, 1 in 10 Aussie men with incontinence and so on,” Brad says.
“The likelihood is that someone you are close to is experiencing one of these issues and because of the perceived embarrassment around these issues, men tend to suffer them largely in silence.”
He is particularly targeting men in regional and rural areas where they don’t have access to the same facilities as men in the cities.
So far, he has covered most of Queensland and says the public reaction has made the trip so worthwhile.
“They just love it and can't be more thankful.
“There is NO reason more regional and remote pharmacists can't be having these conversations and then, assuming they don't have the expertise to help any further, refer them on to us so we can continue to support the patient.”
Brad is also informing the media along the way and doing interviews, including one where a local named ‘Bazza’ and his dog ‘Gypsy’ hung around for the interview just to talk to Brad about his health and get some advice.
“I reckon there will be a pharmacist or two from Queensland that know Bazza and his dog Gypsy.... for sure.”
But the show must go on and so Brad is now back on the road heading to Cairns to catch up with some oncologists and urologists.
He’s already covered 4,000 kilometres since setting out from Canberra on Easter Monday.
You can follow his adventure on his Facebook page and by listening to ‘The Big Lap’ podcast episode on Spotify, and Forefront will regularly check in with Brad to see how ‘The Big Lap’ is going.
“It's already been life changing for both me and my family but also for a good number of men that have consulted with us which is so rewarding.”
