In a warning for older men, prostate cancer will be the most diagnosed cancer in Australia, replacing breast cancer, according to new forecasts by the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare (AIHW).
A record number of prostate cancer cases are predicted to be recorded this year, with 24,217 cases expected at a rate of 150.8 cases per 100,000 males.
By 2040, the AIHW believes that there will be 372,000 men living with or beyond prostate cancer, representing a 43% increase and the greatest number of people diagnosed with any single cancer.
However, it is not all sad news.
In 1988-1992, on average, 61.1% of males diagnosed with prostate cancer survived five years after diagnosis. By contrast, in 2014-2018, on average, 95.5% of males diagnosed with prostate cancer survived five years after diagnosis.
“This is tremendous progress, thanks to rapid advances in research and treatment,” said the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, the peak national body.
“Survival rates for prostate cancer vary depending on the stage of cancer at diagnosis, the patient’s age, and the characteristics of the cancer itself, among other things.”
But it is important that prostate cancer is diagnosed as early as possible.
The Foundation states being aware of your family history of prostate cancer is key to early diagnosis and survival of the disease:
- If your father or brother have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you have twice the average risk of developing the disease;
- If you have two or more close male relatives who have been diagnosed, your lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer increases five-fold; and
- Your risk also increases if you have a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, especially if a BRCA1 or 2 gene mutation was involved.
You can find out more information about prostate cancer testing here.
