Queensland’s top cop is used to advising his force about all things policing. But today, he had a different message. Commissioner Ian Stewart wants all the boys in blue to get their prostate checked.

Anna Eyears reports.

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It’s a simple but uncomfortable test, but it could save your life.

That’s the message from Queensland’s Police Commissioner to his Force.

Ian Stewart, Police Commissioner: “It might seem strange in one way that we’re talking about prostate cancer in the Queensland Police, but anything that we can do to make the lives of our members and their loved ones better actually is a bonus, not just for them, but for the wider community.”

The unusual campaign is hitting the road tomorrow; a police four-wheel-drive will tow a ‘dunny’ around the state offering information seminars for all Queensland Police employees, their families and other emergency personnel.

It’s hoped the dunny will spark a conversation.

Senior Constable Stephen Lindsey, Queensland Police: “In my particular case I shared a conversation with a work colleague in 2016, who prompted me to go and get screened for prostate cancer, which I did, and to my horror I was later diagnosed with prostate cancer.”

Prostate cancer is often associated with old age, but men in their thirties and forties are still very much at risk.

As many as 17,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.

With signs often going unnoticed, men now more than ever are being encouraged to go see their doctor.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation recommends every male over the age of 40 should get checked.

Anna Eyears, QUT News.