Each time Mick Barrett leaves his home south-west of Sydney, he checks for his wallet, keys and an available public bathroom.
That is because the prostate cancer survivor suffers from incontinence and would often leak through the “thickest pads”.
But he said the problem was sanitary bins were not ubiquitous in men’s toilets.
“I’d go to the toilet, change my pad and — if there was no bin available — have no other option but to stick it back in my pocket,” Mr Barrett said.
“I also started carrying a plastic bag [to put the pads in] all the time.
“And then I’d be walking the street searching for a garbage bin.”
According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), more than 26,000 Australian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year at an average age of 70.
Mick Barrett says he will often use an app to locate a public bathroom before heading out. (ABC Illawarra: Brooke Chandler)
Mr Barrett was 52 when his cancer was found following a routine doctor’s appointment, and said his incontinence was “most probably” caused by radiotherapy.
He said trouble disposing his sanitary items was an “eye-opening experience” no-one prepared him for.
“I was surprised,” the now 69-year-old Menangle resident said.
“I started talking to people, especially men, as to whether they experience the same issue and they don’t say anything unfortunately.”
More sanitary bins in Wollondilly
Motivated to make change, Mr Barrett approached his local pub and retirement village, requesting sanitary bins be installed in their men’s bathrooms — and they did.
“I said, ‘Look it doesn’t have to be in every cubicle — just one with a notice on the door to say it’s there.
“I don’t care if people make fun of what I’m trying to do.
“We are supposed to be an aging population so it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”
Impressed by Mick Barrett’s advocacy, Matthew Deeth says he wanted to use his position at council to make change. (ABC Illawarra: Brooke Chandler)
He then turned to Wollondilly Shire Council’s Deputy Mayor Matthew Deeth.
“I was absolutely flawed at how simple a fix it was and how it could bring some meaningful change to many men’s lives,” Cr Deeth said.
The council this week voted to investigate the feasibility and costs associated with installing sanitary bins in all council-owned public toilets, including male, female, accessible and unisex amenities.
Cr Deeth’s notice of motion also requested an implementation plan for a shire-wide education campaign that communicates “respectful toileting and incontinence infrastructure”.
Matthew Deeth asked council to support Mick Barrett’s plea for men’s bathroom bins. (ABC Illawarra: Brooke Chandler)
“An appropriate bin can bring dignity, confidence and normalcy to an issue that is really hidden in society and not talked about,” he said.
During council’s meeting, an amendment was made by Mayor Matt Gould to alter Wollondilly’s development control plan so every new build must contain sanitary bins in all bathrooms.
‘High level of stigma’
PCFA CEO Anne Savage said a high rate of prostate cancer patients suffered from urinary issues such as incontinence.
“Some studies show that up to 80 per cent of men who undergo surgery for prostate cancer experience urinary leakage,” she said.
“Most of those symptoms resolve within a year or so.”
Anne Savage would like to see Wollondilly’s efforts replicated elsewhere. (Supplied: PCFA)
However, Ms Savage said men often shied away from discussing urinary issues due to the high level of stigma.
“That means that all too often, men don’t access the information and support that they need,” she said.
“There is nowhere near enough bins in male bathrooms in this country and it’s an area of action.
“I’d really love to see the Wollondilly model embraced by other councils around the nation.”