Prostate Cancer
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia and the second greatest cause of cancer deaths in men. The latest data shows that in 2010 almost 20,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Tragically more than 3,300 men will die as a direct cause of prostate cancer.
There are four main disorders of the prostate. All can have similar symptoms, which may include one or more of the following:
- Waking frequently at night to urinate
- Sudden or urgent need to urinate
- Difficulty in starting to urinate
- Slow flow of urine and difficulty in stopping
- Discomfort when urinating
- Painful ejaculation
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Decrease in libido (sex urge)
- Reduced ability to get an erection
Prostate cancer can be cured if detected and treated while still confined to the prostate gland. The tests for prostate cancer are the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test and the digital rectal examination (DRE). These tests do not give a conclusive diagnosis of cancer but can indicate the presence of prostate cancer. For more information, click on the below:
PCFA Policy on PSA and DRE
While prostate cancer is most common in men over the age of 50, younger men with a history of prostate cancer in their family are at greater risk. What is complicated with prostate cancer is that some cancers grow very slowly and don’t threaten life, whilst others grow more rapidly and do. It is as a result of this dilemma that we recommend you take an active role in your decision on testing, and if you develop cancer, how you choose to be treated.
One in 11 Australian men will develop prostate cancer by age 70. The strongest risk factor is age and the chance of developing the disease rises rapidly after age 50. Family history of prostate cancer is also a known risk factor.
The PCFA has a variety of publication and resources that are available free of charge by calling 1800 22 00 99 or as a free download CLICK HERE. Specific information can be found on the below areas:
- Prostate Cancer: The Risk of Depresssion
- Maintaining Your Well-Being - Information on depression and anxiety for men with prostate cancer and their partners
- Localised Prostate Cancer - A Guide For Men And Their Families
- Treat ED: prostate edition
- Continence and Prostate Cancer
- Prostate Cancer Fact Sheet
- Be A Man Brochure
There are four main disorders of the prostate. All can have similar symptoms, which may include one or more of the following:
- Waking frequently at night to urinate
- Sudden or urgent need to urinate
- Difficulty in starting to urinate
- Slow flow of urine and difficulty in stopping
- Discomfort when urinating
- Painful ejaculation
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Decrease in libido (sex urge)
- Reduced ability to get an erection
Prostate cancer can be cured if detected and treated while still confined to the prostate gland. The tests for prostate cancer are the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test and the digital rectal examination (DRE). These tests do not give a conclusive diagnosis of cancer but can indicate the presence of prostate cancer. For more information, click on the below:
PCFA Policy on PSA and DRE
While prostate cancer is most common in men over the age of 50, younger men with a history of prostate cancer in their family are at greater risk. What is complicated with prostate cancer is that some cancers grow very slowly and don’t threaten life, whilst others grow more rapidly and do. It is as a result of this dilemma that we recommend you take an active role in your decision on testing, and if you develop cancer, how you choose to be treated.
One in 11 Australian men will develop prostate cancer by age 70. The strongest risk factor is age and the chance of developing the disease rises rapidly after age 50. Family history of prostate cancer is also a known risk factor.
The PCFA has a variety of publication and resources that are available free of charge by calling 1800 22 00 99 or as a free download CLICK HERE. Specific information can be found on the below areas:
- Prostate Cancer: The Risk of Depresssion
- Maintaining Your Well-Being - Information on depression and anxiety for men with prostate cancer and their partners
- Localised Prostate Cancer - A Guide For Men And Their Families
- Treat ED: prostate edition
- Continence and Prostate Cancer
- Prostate Cancer Fact Sheet
- Be A Man Brochure
