Held in Dunedin's Edgar Centre, the session was a chance for men living with advanced prostate cancer, and their partners, to educate themselves on what treatments were on the horizon and what improvements were being made to diagnostic services.
Organised and funded by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand, with sponsorship from pharmaceutical company Janssen, the meeting included presentations from urologist Dr Serge Luke, radiation oncologist Dr Shaun Costello and prostate cancer patient Ron Brass.
About 70 people heard huge gains were being made in prostate cancer research, treatment and diagnostics.
Dr Costello said drug companies had realised prostate cancer could be ''treated'' and were now putting big money into developing those treatments.
While most of the advances offered seemingly small benefits, better quality of life or a few months of added ''survivability'', the cumulative effect was significant.
The upshot was people were not dying of cancer as much as they used to. Instead, they were ''just filling up clinics'' and costing money.
''And this really is a success story - the fact that you cost us a fortune because you're with us so long.''
There was also now a lot more support for prostate cancer patients than there was in the past, making initial diagnosis, treatment and support easier, Dr Costello said.
Mr Brass, who was first diagnosed with cancer in 2001, said his story was ''not typical'' - 14 years after his diagnosis, he was still well enough to not need drugs. Yet knowing they were there was a great comfort.
Those living with a terminal illness were no different from everyone else, he said.
''We've all got a terminal condition. And it's called life.''
Being aware of a more limited life expectancy gave people ''the right to make the most of that time''.
But while positivity was important for cancer patients, he stressed it was equally important men understood they were allowed to have bad days too.
''I've not always been positive. At times, I get wiped out. And I say this because I don't think any man should feel guilty about having a really bad day.''
