During Men’s Health Week (15 – 21 June) staff at St George Hospital are turning their attention
to raising awareness of important men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer has become the most significant major malignancy of men and is responsible for
considerable mortality. Although prostate cancer commonly occurs in later years of life,
there is an increasing referral rate of younger patients in their late 40s and early 50s with the disease.
St George Hospital’s Director of Radiation Oncology, Professor John Kearsley said early detection
was an important aspect of ensuring that prostate cancer can be cured.
“Testing is essential from when men turn 50 years of age and even 40 years of age if prostate
cancer is prevalent in the family. There is no doubt that testing and early detection with
appropriate treatment will save lives,” Professor Kearsley said.
There are several aspects of the prostate that could suggest that testing is necessary including:
sudden need to urinate; frequent urination (especially at night); slow flow of urine and difficulty
in stopping; problems in beginning to urinate and blood in the urine.
“Research figures show that with recent screening and PSA testing, recent death rates for the
disease have shown a significant decline,” Professor Kearsley said.
There are two tests available to detect prostate cancer: the Prostate Specific
Antigen blood test (PSA) and the Digital Rectal Examination (DRE). Both tests have their
advantages but it is suggested that PSA testing be undertaken annually and the DRE at least
once every two years.
Professor Kearsley said the most comprehensive treatment options and assistance have been
centralised within the Prostate Cancer Institute at St George Hospital, which is the major
treatment facility for residents of the St George and Sutherland Shire.
“In 2008 around 249 patients received radiation therapy for prostate cancer – a four per
cent increase since 2007 – with 181 new patients being treated in the last year alone,” Professor Kearsley said.
Presently, more than 10,000 men are diagnosed annually with prostate cancer Australia-wide,
with the majority more than 50 years of age. Of this number diagnosed, there are at least
2,600 who will die from the disease.
“Should the cancer have been diagnosed early enough, many of the men would have survived.
“There are now so many ways of curing a man with prostate cancer and early detection
and promotion of the disease has become a much more important aspect in overcoming this
major disease,” Professor Kearsley said.
Media enquiries: Maxine Brennan, 9113 2601, 0413 028 776
