Take the survey now: https://pcfa.org.au/mens-health-survey
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) is calling on Australians to take part in a nationwide survey on early detection of the country's most commonly diagnosed cancer, amid concerns around one million Australian men may have significantly increased risk of the disease due to their family history.
Around 300,000 Australian men are estimated to be alive today following a diagnosis of the disease, with 79 Australian men newly diagnosed each day.
Former Deputy Prime Minister, prostate cancer survivor, and Chair of PCFA's new National Committee for the Elimination of Prostate Cancer, the Hon. Wayne Swan, said the survey would help shine a light on persistent barriers to awareness, testing, and timely treatment.
"Too many Australian men are still being diagnosed too late," he said.
"There are serious gaps in awareness and understanding and we need to change that by funding a national campaign to educate those at risk of this disease.
"This survey gives Australians the opportunity to tell us what they are seeing and experiencing firsthand, and what they believe governments and health authorities should prioritise."
Mr Swan said the survey will inform the Committee's work to improve early detection and eliminate avoidable deaths from the disease.
"I've seen firsthand the devastating impact of prostate cancer, both in losing my father and facing my own diagnosis.
"Early detection saves lives, but we are not doing enough to reach men at risk. My father died a painful death from prostate cancer at age 67, but I didn't know that gave me a one in two chance of having the disease myself.
"Today around a million Australian men are in that situation, who have a first-degree relative with prostate cancer, most of whom wouldn't know they have double the odds of getting the disease.
"It's staggering that there has never been the same amount of funding put into awareness campaigns for prostate cancer as we've seen for other cancers - we spend around $300 million each year on breast cancer screening, but nothing for men with prostate cancer.
"The time has come to seize the same momentum our mothers and sisters have fought for in the fight against breast cancer, dispensing with the outdated dogma that the harms of testing outweigh the benefits.
"Prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, yet many men still don't know they are at risk.
"I'm alive today because my prostate cancer was detected early, but there are still far too many Australian men who don't receive the information, testing, or support they need in time.
"We cannot accept a situation where men miss out because of where they live, the cost of healthcare, or a lack of awareness.
"This survey is about listening to the community and making sure the voices of Australian men and families are heard loud and clear.
"Knowledge saved my life, and I want to help give other men that chance," he said.
PCFA CEO, Anne Savage, said the survey was an important opportunity for Australians to help shape the future of prostate cancer policy and care.
"We want to hear directly from the community their views - and where more action is needed," she said.
The five-question survey takes less than two minutes to complete and is open to all Australians.
Take the survey: https://pcfa.org.au/mens-health-survey
The findings will be released during Men's Health Week (June 15-21), shining a light on public sentiment surrounding prostate cancer.
About the data
The estimated number of Australian men at increased risk of prostate cancer diagnosis due to their family history is based on historical actuarial analysis and updated cancer incidence and mortality data sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
About prostate cancer in Australia
- Nearly 29,000 Australian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year
- More than 4,000 Australian men die from the disease annually
- More than 290,000 Australians are currently living after a prostate cancer diagnosis
- Men with a family history of prostate cancer face significantly increased risk
- Men in regional areas experience worse outcomes and higher mortality rates than men in metropolitan areas
