PROSTATE Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) is urging Australians to light up the barbecue to help raise funds for the not-for-profit's cause as national prostate cancer costs are projected to increase by 42% in the next decade.

Australians can now sign-up their fundraising barbecues for the 2016 Big Aussie Barbie campaign - PCFA's major annual fundraising and awareness initiative.

Now in its eighth year, the campaign provides necessary funding for ongoing research projects, community awareness initiatives and support programs.

PCFA chief executive officer, Associate Professor Anthony Lowe, said it was important for Australians to support fundraising initiatives as they were often the lifeline that keeps research and community support programs active.

"The Big Aussie Barbie initiative has successfully raised over $6 million through community barbecues and other affiliated initiatives," he said.

"PCFA hopes the 2016 campaign will raise another $1 million so we can continue to fund programs that raise better awareness of the disease and support the 200,000 Aussie men and their families affected by prostate cancer."

Cricket legend Matthew Hayden is the Big Aussie Barbie campaign's official ambassador, following his father's prostate cancer diagnosis in 2012.To help, go to www.bigaussiebarbie.com.au.

"The Big Aussie Barbie is a fantastic opportunity for Australians to gather with friends and family, openly talk about risk and the importance of getting checked. Prostate cancer continues to be a leading cause of death among Aussie blokes and it's time we change that," said Mr Hayden.