One in 9 Australian men will develop prostate cancer by the age of 75.
Many prostate cancers will not progress sufficiently to cause harm in a man’s lifetime while others can progress to more advanced stages. Currently there is no test to adequately differentiate between aggressive and non aggressive tumours.
It is rare before the age of 45.
The causes of prostate cancer are not known, however there are certain risk factors that have been linked with the development of prostate cancer. These include a family history, age (over the age of 50) and diet – a diet high in animal fat and protein.
The Department of Health and Information Services recommends that males over the age of 50 should discuss testing for prostate cancer with their GP as early prostate cancer usually does not cause symptoms. If symptoms do occur they are indistinguishable from symptoms related to non-cancerous conditions.
For further information please see our online brochure
The Cancer Screening Australia Position Statement
The Cancer Screening and Control Services Tasmania Position Statement
or go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia - www.prostate.org.au