When David Newman first found out he was living with cancer, he didn't know where to turn.
"I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016 at age 56, and I felt very alone," Mr Newman said.
"It felt like the rug had been taken out from under my feet."
Five years after his diagnosis and successful surgery, the Canberra cancer survivor will now be on hand to ensure that other men won't have to go through those same feelings of isolation.
A new program named MatesConnect is helping to put ACT men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer in touch with others who have already been through treatment to provide support and a friendly ear.
The program, which will start on Thursday, is run through the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, with funds coming from the ACT government under a grants program.
Mr Newman said the service for new patients would help to give crucial support.
"It's able to provide the opportunity for people who are newly diagnosed to talk to a peer who has already been through that journey," he said.
"While prostate cancer patients can talk to their mates as well, it's unlikely their mates have gone through cancer themselves.
"What I'm hoping to achieve is to give back to people to fill in knowledge gaps about prostate cancer that I wished that I had."
It's estimated 3300 men in the ACT are living with prostate cancer, with 260 new cases diagnosed each year.
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia chief executive Jeff Dunn said MatesConnect would create a large support network for Canberrans.
"About one-in-five men with prostate cancer will experience long-term anxiety and depression. Of great concern, men with prostate cancer also face a 70 per cent increased risk of suicide compared to the general population," he said.
"MatesConnect will provide vital support to ensure these men do not suffer alone."
