Australian men over 40 are being urged to prioritise their prostate health as rates of prostate cancer continue to climb across all age groups and doubling in men under 50. [1]
Mater Private Hospital Springfield urologist Dr Sam Davies said many people often think of prostate cancer as an ‘older man’s’ disease, but it’s estimated that more than 450 men under 50 will be diagnosed this year in Australia, many with no symptoms. [2]
Dr Davies recommends regular PSA testing for all men over 50 and is urging those with a family history to start screening from 40 to 45.
With a history of prostate cancer in his family, 58-year-old Terry Brouwers has been getting his PSA tested since he was in his late forties, and he’s thankful he was vigilant.
“In December I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but fortunately it was only in the early stages and hadn’t spread,” Mr Brouwers said.
“I then had my prostate removed in January and took six weeks off to recover and now I feel great and am cancer free.
“The only symptom I had, was that I was urinating more frequently at night, and even though my PSA levels weren’t high, I insisted to my GP that this was abnormal for me.”
PSA testing is generally Medicare-funded and widely recommended for men aged 50 to 69, or those over 40 with a family history of the disease.
Dr Davies is urging men to book an appointment with a GP if they meet the age criteria, have a family history or notice changes in urination.
“The first step is getting a blood test to measure the level of Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA),” Dr Davies said.
“This simple blood test measures the protein produced by prostate cells and elevated levels may indicate prostate cancer.
“Before PSA screening was widespread, around 75 per cent of men diagnosed with prostate cancer died from the disease in the United States, with a median survival rate of just 41 months from diagnosis.
“Today early PSA testing helps save lives, because the earlier we can detect prostate cancer, the greater the chance we have of treating and curing it.”
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia with around 29,000 men diagnosed each year and almost 4,000 deaths. [3]
And one in five Australian men are likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, with risk factors increasing from the age of 50. [4]
“Every day around 79 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 11 others will die as a result of the disease,” Dr Davies said.
“Thankfully, due to early diagnoses and treatment, around 91 percent of men will now survive 10 years or more, after being diagnosed.”
Dr Davies said many men have few or no symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer, which is why it’s important to discuss your individual risk factors with your GP.
“Up to 60 percent of prostate cancer risk is inherited, so it’s recommended that men with a family history start screening between the ages of 40 and 45,” Dr Davies said.
“Prostate cancer is usually silent. It can lead to problems urinating, pain during urination, or pain in the lower back, pelvis or testicles.
“These symptoms usually appear in its later stages, which is why screening is essential to catch the disease, before it reaches this point.”
“If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your GP, it doesn’t mean you have prostate cancer, but it’s important to know for sure and get treatment as early as possible.”
Mr Brouwers agrees, and is thankful his prostate cancer was caught early, which means he hasn’t needed chemotherapy or radiation, and he’s made a full recovery.
“Of all the cancers, prostate cancer is the most treatable,” Mr Brouwers said.
“Once I found out I had cancer, it took me a nanosecond to decide that I just wanted it out.
“If this technology had of been around when my grandfather had prostate cancer, I believe he would have had a greater chance of survival.”
[1] Sharp rise in early onset prostate cancer prompts urgent calls for early detection | PCFA | PCFA
[2] Sharp rise in early onset prostate cancer prompts urgent calls for early detection | PCFA | PCFA
[3] Cancer data in Australia, Overview of cancer in Australia, 2025 - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
