08 June 2026

Brian Harris will be stepping out during Men's Health Week from Monday, 15 June to Sunday, 21 June 2026, to raise funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), after being diagnosed with prostate cancer and wanting to encourage more men to get tested and seek support. 

The Como local has already walked over 170km as part of Walk for Him, PCFA's national walking challenge, which encourages Australians to walk 25km or any distance of their choice in support of men and their families impacted by prostate cancer.

Mr Harris set an original fundraising target of $500, raised it to $1,500, and has now surpassed $1,788 — with donations still coming in. He's set a walking target of 200km, undertaken partly on his specialist's advice to lose weight, and is using social media and personal networks to encourage men and their partners to have conversations with their doctors and get tested. 

Mr Harris, 65, was diagnosed with prostate cancer following a PET scan and biopsy. His cancer was detected early and he is currently on a watch and act program — regular blood tests and scans to monitor his situation. At the same time as his own diagnosis, his best friend was also diagnosed, requiring radiation treatment with seed implants.   

"I know the mental side was hard for me, even though I'm one of the lucky ones in capturing an early detection,” said Mr Harris. “I was fortunate to have a mentor assist me with the mental side of dealing with my diagnosis. Support for men is limited, and I believe prostate cancer is not properly understood, along with the treatments." 

"There are also costs associated with treatments, even under watch and act, that are not covered by Medicare or private health insurance. Men need to know what they could be facing," Mr Harris says. 

"My message to men is: drop the 'man image' and start looking after yourself. See a GP, have a discussion, and get the appropriate tests. Talk to people, start the conversation, and if it gets too much, seek appropriate advice. There are groups out there," Mr Harris said. 

Nearly 29,000 Australian men are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and nearly 4,000 men will die from prostate cancer this year. 

Locals are encouraged to get behind Mr Harris and join the Walk for Him movement to help save lives. 

Participants can walk 25km, or a distance of their choice, during Men's Health Week in solidarity with men and their families impacted by prostate cancer. 

PCFA CEO Anne Savage called on the Como community to get involved. 

"Walk for Him is a powerful way for Australians to raise awareness and funds in the fight against prostate cancer," Ms Savage says. 

"Prostate cancer takes a significant toll not just on men, but also on their partners, families and communities. 

"Every step taken and every dollar raised helps fund life-saving research, specialist nursing, telenursing, counselling and support services for men and their families. 

"With prostate cancer remaining Australia's most commonly diagnosed cancer, local action has never been more important." 

To donate to Mr Harris, visit: https://www.walkforhim.org.au/fundraisers/brianharris/walk-for-him-2026 

To sign up, visit www.walkforhim.org.au or phone PCFA on 1800 22 00 99 for support. 

ENDS

To get in touch or to arrange an interview, please contact:  

Katie Clift: katie@maybe.agency and Josie Tutty: josie@maybe.agency  

Or call the PCFA team on 1800 22 00 99 

About PCFA

PCFA is Australia’s leading community-based organisation for prostate cancer research, awareness, and support. Our goal is zero deaths in our lifetime.

About prostate cancer in Australia

  • Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia.
  • 28,868 Australian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2025.
  • 3,975 Australian men will die from prostate cancer in 2025.
  • Around 79 Australian men are diagnosed each day with prostate cancer, and around 11 Australian men will die each day from the disease.
  • 290,163 Australian men are alive today after a diagnosis of prostate cancer between 1982 and 2021.
  • Men diagnosed with prostate cancer have a 96% chance of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population.
  • Between 1982 and 2021, five-year relative survival for prostate cancer improved from 58% to 96%.
  • Forecasts suggest that by 2035, 34,587 Australian men will be newly diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, accounting for a 20% increase in incidence numbers over the 10 years from 2025 to 2035.