Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Australians after non-melanoma skin cancer (1), with more than 19,000 new cases projected to be diagnosed in 2010. And it is the second most common cause of cancer death among Australian men, after lung cancer.
Tests aimed at helping diagnose prostate cancer are available. However, there is no national screening program in place, with current evidence showing that the PSA test is not suitable for population screening as the harms outweigh the benefits. Whether or not to be tested for prostate cancer is a matter of individual choice.
Cancer Council Australia and the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council - key messages on prostate cancer screening
Cancer Council Australia and the intergovernmental Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council have developed a joint statement summarising key messages about screening for prostate cancer, including an interpretation of the two large international trials of PSA as a screening tool.
Cancer Council Australia - position statement on prostate cancer screening
Cancer Council’s Public Health Committee has developed a position statement which provides background information about the various tests available for prostate cancer, and explains why a national screening program is not currently recommended.
Cancer Council Australia encourages men to be fully informed before making their choice. Men who have a family history or are concerned about prostate cancer should see their doctor.
1. Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer according to general practice and hospitals data, however there is no reporting of cases to cancer registries.