It was their last stop after spending three weeks road tripping around the Hunter thanks to Newcastle Permanent.

But they were not on a holiday - they are on a mission to save lives.

HPCA’s marketing and events manager, Rachel Bitschkat, says they have set up shop in a number of towns with the aim of debunking the myths surrounding prostate checks.

“The idea monitoring requires a physical examination is quite off-putting, when in reality all it takes is a blood test,” she says.

This is because the prostate produces a substance called Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and a level of over 4 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of blood usually indicates the presence of cancer cells.

“It is very important we get the message through as more men are dying in the Hunter from prostate cancer than anywhere else in New South Wales.”

Recent statistics show that mortality rates are 36% higher than metropolitan Sydney, Ms Bitschkat says.

She has been accompanied by a group of dedicated volunteers and one of them, Noel Hillier knows how important regular PSA monitoring is.

“I ran into my brother when we were up in Taree doing this and he told me he will be having surgery this week after his PSA level had doubled,” Mr Hillier explains.

“And although it was within the normal levels, because it had doubled since his last reading his GP suggested a biopsy.”

“So the point I am trying to make is regular monitoring is vital. You can’t just get tested every five years.”

Prostate Cancer kills more men than breast cancer does women; one in five men will develop the condition in their lifetime.