Prostate cancer occurs mainly in men over 50 years of age and is the most common male cancer in Queensland men, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer.

Prostate cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the prostate gland. This gland is only found in males and is about the size of a walnut. It is situated where the bladder joins the urethra.

Understanding your risk of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian men and the second leading cause of cancer death in men, following lung cancer.

One in five Queensland men are likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 85.

However, risk of prostate cancer varies depending upon your age. The older you are, the greater the risk of having prostate cancer. The table below shows what the chance is of being diagnosed with prostate cancer for men in different age groups. It is important to remember that these figures tell us about the likelihood of a man getting prostate cancer but they cannot tell us what will happen to any one individual man.

What is your risk?

The chance of a diagnosis of prostate cancer
within the next 10 years:

For a man aged 40	1 in 1000
For a man aged 50	18 in 1000
For a man aged 60	59 in 1000
For a man aged 70	86 in 1000
For a man aged 80	101 in 1000

Some factors are known to increase a man's risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer. These are:

• Family history: Men with a father or brother who has had prostate cancer have at least twice the risk of a prostate cancer diagnosis. This risk increases if the relative was diagnosed before the age of 60. Men with a family history of breast cancer are also at higher risk.
• Race: Prostate cancer is more common in some racial and ethnic groups than in others, but medical experts do not know why. Prostate cancer is more common in African-American men than in Caucasian men. It is also less common in Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander and Native American men than in Caucasian men.
• Age: The older you are the greater your chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer. However, if younger men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, they are more likely to die prematurely from it. This is because there is more time for the cancer to progress, and younger men are less likely to die of other causes.

Early prostate cancer usually has no symptoms

If the following symptoms do appear, they are more likely to be due to causes other than prostate cancer and should be investigated:

• Blood in the urine.
• The need to urinate frequently, especially at night.
• Weak or interrupted urine flow.
• Pain or burning sensation while urinating.
• The inability to urinate.
• Constant pain in the lower back, pelvis or upper thighs.

Ways to find prostate cancer early: Tests available

1. Prostate Specific Antigen
   Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a substance produced by cells from the prostate gland and released into the blood. The PSA test measures the PSA level in the blood. A doctor checks the blood to see if the PSA level is normal, and if a man has had a previous PSA test he will check to see if the level has changed from the last test. The rate of change of the PSA level, known as PSA velocity, may be used by doctors to assess changes in the prostate.
   
   As a rule, the higher the PSA level in the blood, the more likely a prostate problem is present. But many factors, such as age, can affect PSA levels. Some prostate glands produce more PSA than others. PSA levels can also be affected by:

• Certain medical procedures.
• An enlarged prostate.
• A prostate infection.

Since many factors can affect PSA levels, a doctor is the best person to interpret the PSA test result.

2. Digital Rectal Examination
   The Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) is a quick examination to check the health of the prostate, where a doctor inserts a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum or back passage. This allows the doctor to feel the prostate for size and any irregular or abnormally firm areas.
3. What if the test results suggest a problem?
   If the test results suggest a prostate problem the doctor may advise that biopsies of the prostate are needed. Most men who have biopsies do not have cancer detected , however biopsies are the only effective way to determine if cancer is present or not.

Should I be tested?

Detailed information on the considerations around PSA testing can be found at http://www.prostatehealth.org.au/phip_1.html

Further information

Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20
Andrology Australia www.andrologyaustralia.org
Lions Australia Prostate Cancer website www.prostatehealth.org.au
The early detection of prostate cancer in General Practice: GP/Patient show card

The information available on this page should not be used as a substitute for advice from a properly qualified medical professional who can advise you about your own individual medical needs. It is not intended to constitute medical advice and is provided for general information purposes only. See our Disclaimer.