JOURNALISTS often preach health messages until they are blue in the face – and often, our only understanding is as a third person telling someone else’s story.Today, I have a personal reason for asking all men to have regular health checks, including their prostate.My grandfather died of prostate cancer. He was a funny fellow, with our “McGuire sense of humour’’. It was deep, dry and would make you laugh until your stomach hurt.Grandpa was a hard worker and liked to live on a highway so he could watch the world go by.But at the same time he was like most men his age and fiercely private.He also wasn’t comfortable with doctors.But I have no doubt he would have a message for others today – and that is to see your GP, sooner rather than later.According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, almost 3300 men die of the disease each year – or one man every three hours.That is equal to the number of women who die from breast cancer.Alarmingly, 78 per cent of women believed they were well informed about breast cancer, but only 52 per cent of men said the same about prostate cancer.Today aims to change just that.The Bendigo Advertiser has gone blue to support prostate cancer awareness, and we ask you to do the same.So, in keeping with today’s theme, I will preach this message until I am blue in the face – have you had your health check? – Nicole Ferrie, deputy editor