BURLEIGH resident and prostate cancer survivor John Cummins has urged men to stand up and be counted.

“It is only a blood test yet guys are not getting it done and some doctors are not doing the tests when asked,” Mr Cummins said.

Three days into his retirement and ready to leave on a trip around Australia, Mr Cummins, who spoke at a launch for an international conference this week, was told he may have prostate cancer.

Men can suffer symptoms such as frequent urination, difficulty starting to urinate and erection problems but Mr Cummins said he did not have any symptoms.

“Since I was 50 I have had annual check-ups with my doctors and that has always included a prostate check,” he said.

When Mr Cummin's prostate was removed, it was 17 per cent cancerous and an average cancerous prostate is about four per cent.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia will hold an international conference on the Gold Coast to educate Queensland men about prostate health.

Chief executive officer Andrew Giles said survivors will join medical specialists, urologists, public health researchers and health promotion advocates from across the world to discuss the latest approaches to prostate cancer.

The conference will be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from Friday, August 6, to Sunday, August 8.

To register visit www.prostate.org.au, email conference@prostate.org.au or phone 1800 668 137.