“In 2013–2017, individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer had a 96% chance of surviving for five years,” said the Cancer Council Australia.
Data from the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) has suggested that a large amount of Aussie men are at double the average risk of prostate cancer.
It was indicated by their data that between now and 2040 there will be a 43 per cent increase in men who are diagnosed with Australia’s most commonly diagnosed cancer.
That figure will go from 240,000 men to 372,000 in 18 years’ time.
This year alone 24,000 men are likely to be diagnosed with the disease while over 3000 are expected to die.
To change this, PCFA CEO Anne Savage has called on Australians to take action and spread awareness, which she says there is no where near enough of.
“Essentially what we are facing is a tidal wave of risk. It’s vital that we give these men and their families all the information they need to enable early diagnosis and timely treatment.”
She adds an ageing population is also why that number will increase.
According to the foundation, the results were collected from data over the past 40 years, based on those who had prostate cancer and are likely to have male offspring.
PCFA’s Chief of Mission and Head of Research, Professor Jeff Dunn AO says that teaching men how to test and be vigilant for warning signs is vital in early diagnosis.
“Majority of Australian men do not know the PSA test guidelines and may not know that their family history of the disease places them at an increased risk of a potentially aggressive diagnosis at a younger age,” he said.
“The fact is that low awareness levels impede early detection and diminish men’s survival prospects.
“If we can diagnose all men at the earliest stage and ensure they have access to new medicines and care, we can beat this disease. For men with a family history of disease, we need to give much clearer guidance about their risks and screening options.”
