Our Blue Pledge – Prostate Cancer Awareness Month 

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. In support of Blue September, we take on the Blue Pledge to increase awareness about the importance of early detection and annual prostate checks in the fight against prostate cancer. Every year more than 4,000* men in New Zealand are diagnosed with prostate cancer, and unfortunately, over 700* die from the disease – the second highest cause of cancer death in men behind lung cancer**. 

MercyAscot’s pledge to our people 
At MercyAscot, we value our people and support preventative healthcare for everyone. In support of our staff’s wellbeing, we are encouraging all staff with a family history of prostate cancer or aged over 50 to commit to the Blue Pledge and visit their healthcare provider about their prostate health. Our staff are able to take up to two hours' paid time to visit their healthcare provider for a mammogram or prostate check.  

Transforming patient lives with value-based healthcare pathways 
Our parent company Healthcare Holdings Limited (HHL) envisions transforming the care of patients to transform their lives. The Prostate Clinic offers patients value-based pathways streamlining patient testing and providing a fast-track diagnostic service with fewer appointments as they can access leading urologists and a multidisciplinary team at the same time. To learn more, visit the Urology Institute. The Prostate Clinic is led by Urology Institute specialists from OneSixOne, an entity of HHL. 

References 
* New Zealand Cancer Registry. MOH cancer data and stats. 
** Prostate Cancer Foundation New Zealand