The Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ) warns that too many high-risk younger Australian men are unaware of their prostate cancer risk as a new report predicts cases will double by 2040.
The Lancet Commission on Prostate Cancer suggests that cases worldwide will increase from 1.4 million to 2.9 million over the next 20 years.
The deputy leader of USANZ’s Genitourinary Oncology Special Advisory Group, Associate Professor Weranja Ranasinghe, has extensive experience with prostate cancer, including diagnosing a friend with the condition.
Associate Professor Ranasinghe said while the findings were alarming, Australia was well placed to manage the surge due to the availability of advanced diagnostic tools, improvements in treatments and quality control registries.
However, all this must be accompanied by greater awareness.
“Australia is better placed than many other nations to deal with a sharp increase in prostate cancer cases, but the urgent review of guidelines cannot come soon enough,” he said.
“Prostate cancer is not commonly understood or talked about, particularly among younger, high-risk men, leaving too many unaware of the cancer risk that can be deadly.
“Prostate cancer is already a leading cause of death and disability and the most common form of male cancer in more than 100 countries.
“It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, with more than 25,000 new cases each year and more than 11 deaths per day.”
