New research by Cancer Council Queensland has found that the gap between prostate cancer survival rates for rural and urban men has widened, as rural men continue to experience lower survival.

The study, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, found that rates of radical prostatectomy and prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening were lower among rural men.

Lead researcher for CCQ, Associate Professor Peter Baade, said the findings would prompt ongoing research to reduce the disparities in prostate cancer survival.

"The study showed an overall increase in rates of PSA screening and radical prostatectomy, reductions in mortality, and improvements in survival throughout Australia.

"However, while incidence rates for prostate cancer in both urban and rural parts of Australia were similar, the gap in survival rates between rural and urban men has widened, and rural men are less likely to survive a prostate cancer diagnosis.

"Notably, men living in regional and rural areas of Australia have been shown to use diagnostic and treatment services less than their urban counterparts, which could in part explain why their survival and mortality outcomes are consistently poorer."

Prof Baade said rates of radical prostatectomy and PSA screening were lower among rural men, suggesting that rural men are more likely to be diagnosed after experiencing symptoms, possibly at late stage of disease, when survival prospects are less favourable.

"This study suggests that PSA screening has not had an equivalent impact on the diagnosis of prostate cancer in urban and rural areas, and points to the need for further research into any differences in access to treatment options and follow-up care for men living in regional and rural areas and those living in urban areas.

"Similar incidence trends, lower rates of PSA screening and lower rates of radical prostatectomy (a procedure specific to the treatment of localised prostate cancer) are consistent with the hypothesis that a greater proportion of men diagnosed with prostate cancer in rural areas of Australia are diagnosed because they show symptoms, more so than men living in urban areas.

"This study highlights the need for continuing research to understand the link between prostate cancer survival and the geographic and individual risk factors, so that health policy and planning strategies to manage this disease can be guided by evidence.

"It is urgent that we further explore the reasons for lower survival among regional and rural men so that we can identify strategies to counter this alarming trend," he said.