Young men urged to keep their health in check this Men’s Health Week

Australian Trade Training College (ATTC) Trainer Joe Augustine is using his personal experience to drive home the message to current and future tradesmen that regular health checks can save men’s lives.

Currently 50 men a day die from preventable causes, and half of all men will face a mental health disorder in their lifetime.

Joe, an automotive trainer at ATTC and former professional boxer, faced his most challenging fight outside the boxing ring when he was diagnosed with stage three prostate cancer, which had also spread to his bladder and left hip, “I had some symptoms, and although a family friend suggested a PSA test, I was sceptical due to my age. I told him mate, I’m 48, there’s no way I’d have prostate cancer,” Joe said.

Despite initial scepticism from doctors about his young age, Joe’s self-advocacy led to a timely diagnosis of an aggressive cancer tumour, “The cancer had fully spread to the bottom of my bladder and three lymph nodes on my left hip, which means those little buggers were gearing up the army to attack. It was perfect timing in regards to saving my life,” he said.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in Australia, with around 25,400 cases reported last year.

Joe is now committed to increasing awareness amongst men about the importance of understanding their health, knowing what to look for and getting checked out when something doesn’t feel right, “My biggest thing is I don’t want another bloke to go through what I’ve gone through,” he said.

Joe, who was a professional boxer for a decade and won the 1988 Australian Title at age 16, transitioned to automotive training in 2007 to share his knowledge with young students, “I’ve always wanted to pass on what I’ve learned, and I’ve found my passion in automotive training,” he said.

Despite undergoing treatment for almost two years, Joe’s passion for his job and his family motivated him to keep going, “The first six months was the hardest but because I boxed all my life. It was one of those things when you know you got to fight and you can’t get out of the boxing ring. I didn’t want to be the friend or family member everyone talks about in past tense,” he said.

Pauline Grant Smith, RTO Manager Training Services at Australian Trade Training College, also stressed the importance of regular health checks during Men’s Health Week, “We often prioritise safety on the job, yet it’s equally crucial to focus on our health outside of work. Unfortunately, many men, especially those in the trades, tend to overlook their health until it becomes a serious issue,” Ms. Grant-Smith said.

She further emphasised the commitment of both the Australian Trade Training College and the IntoWork Group to the health and well-being of their employees and the communities they serve, “We are proud to support Men’s Health Week and are dedicated to providing resources and support to help our team live healthier, longer lives,” she added.

For more information about Men’s Health Week activities, please visit the Australian Men’s Health Forum at https://www.amhf.org.au/men_s_health_week_australia.html.

*Australian Trade Training College is part of the IntoWork Group.