A prostate cancer survivor says he would fear going to the dentist more than prostate cancer, after seeking out sophisticated treatment ten years ago, with few side effects.

Terry Calkin was the first person in New Zealand to receive Low Dose Rate (LDR) brachytherapy in 1999, after searching for an alternative to prostatectomy surgery when he was diagnosed at 59 years old.

The treatment, which is also used in other forms for breast cancer and mouth cancer, involves planting radioactive seeds directly into the prostate and was not available in New Zealand at the time.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation is calling for all men over 40 to get a prostate check.

Tomorrow marks Blue Friday, part of a national campaign during September to raise awareness of the 600 men who die every year from the disease.

The foundation has invited 600 members of the public to lay a cross outside Te Papa museum tomorrow in remembrance.

Foundation supporter and cancer survivor Ian Morrison said more people need to get checked regularly so they can get early treatment.