Prostate cancer is a very common condition; it was the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2018.1
In 2022, it is estimated that a male has a 1 in 6 (or 17%) risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 85.1
The incidence rate for prostate cancer is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 75–79 years.1
In 2018, there were 21,853 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in Australia.1 In 2020, there were 3,568 deaths from prostate cancer in Australia.1
Just about everyone knows someone with prostate cancer. It may be a father, a brother, an uncle, or a very good friend. It represents a significant burden of disease with enormous social impact on our society.
Prostate cancer is something that I’m passionate about. I've dedicated much of my professional life to the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is a very heterogeneous disease, meaning it can present differently in individuals. Sometimes it can be very active or aggressive. Other times, it can be very slow-growing and not cause a problem during a patient's lifetime. It is important for patients to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
In my practice, I spend a significant amount of time with patients discussing all the treatment options, the pros and cons of each treatment, potential side effects, and what those side effects mean for the patient. Together, usually over a number of consultations, we decide what is best for that particular patient.
Prostate cancer is a critical issue in our community, and fortunately, we now have excellent treatment options available for it.