Brendan ‘Jonesy’ Jones takes part in Movember to honour dad

Brendan “Jonesy” Jones finds it hard to fly because it is a painful reminder of his late father, a Qantas pilot, who died of cancer in 2014. Jonesy is now a Movember ambassador to help ensure men get a regular check-ups.

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Brendan “Jonesy” Jones finds it hard to fly — not because he’s afraid of planes but because it is a painful reminder of his late father, a Qantas pilot.

The 50-year-old is still mourning the death of his father Geoff, who passed away from lung cancer in 2014.

“It’s hard not get emotional,” Jones, a father-of-three, said.

“It’s terrible to watch the decline of someone who you are so close to.

“I find it very hard to go to hospitals now because of what happened to dad. It also made me confront my own mortality.”

Radio host Brendan Jones has become a Movember ambassador. Picture: Toby Zerna

Brendan Jones lost his dad Geoff, who was a pilot, to lung cancer four years ago.

Before his father died of lung cancer, he also survived a bout of prostate cancer.

The cancer was detected in 2009 following a Prostate Specific Antigen test organised by his employer. Qantas pilots are subject to regular health checks to ensure they are fit to fly.

Jones said his father, like many men from that generation, would not have undergone regular health checks if he did not have to.

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One in eight Australian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 75.

“After dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer it pushed me to start thinking about my own health,” he said.

“As a result I now get a yearly check-up from the doctor, including the PSA test, cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.”

Jonesy is growing his moustache to raise money and awareness for men’s health issues. Picture: Toby Zerna

Jones is a first-time ambassador for Movember to ensure that men get a regular health check-up.

The foundation donates millions to men’s suicide prevention, prostate and testicular cancer research. By 2030, they are aiming to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25 per cent.

Movember spokeswoman Rachel Carr said this year’s campaign has recruited 82,000 people to raise money, a 12 per cent increase since last year.

“So far we have raised $13.5 million this campaign but there is still so much work to be done,” she said.

“It is still not too late to register to raise money and stop men dying too young.”

* For more information. go to https://au.movember.com/