With the increase of men presenting with advanced prostate cancer at Goulburn Valley Health, front line healthcare providers are urging men to make their health a priority.
“There was a delay in men presenting to their GPs for screening due to the impact of the the COVID-19 pandemic,” GV Health prostate cancer specialist nurse Sonia Strachan said.
“This in turn delayed further investigations required to confirm a diagnosis.
“We’re already seeing an increase in men presenting with advance disease rather than localised disease.”
If prostate cancer is caught earlier while it is localised within the prostate, men have a much higher chance of survival.
“Currently, men diagnosed with prostate cancer have a 95 per cent chance of surviving five years, however, this chance lessens the later the cancer is diagnosed,” Sonia said.
“It’s very important that we detect prostate cancer before it spreads outside the prostate to other areas of the body, which makes the cancer much harder to manage and treat over the long term.”
Men living in regional or rural areas of Australia have a 24 per cent higher rate of dying from prostate cancer than their urban counterparts.
There are a range of factors that account for the difference, with evidence to suggest the distance to treatment can be a major barrier.
“It’s vital for men with a family history of prostate cancer to talk to their GP about PSA testing from an earlier age, starting at around 40,” Sonia said.
“Men with no family history and no symptoms should discuss their risks with a GP and consider testing at least from the age of 50.
“Men need to be having regular health checks every year. And part of that is having a discussion with their GP about prostate cancer awareness, and PSA testing.”
The current screening guidelines recommend discussing your prostate cancer risk with your GP and if you wish to screen, undergo a PSA test every two years from age 50, or, if you have a family history of prostate cancer, consider testing every two years from the age of 40.
Sonia said a regular health check screens for more than just cancer, it checks for all the major health risks.
“It's diabetes, cholesterol, hypertension — it's all those things that can lead to a stroke, a heart attack or a myriad of other conditions.”
And part of getting on top of men’s health post-pandemic goes beyond just the physical — it’s mental health as well.
“There are so many people that have been isolated, their lives have been completely impacted (by the pandemic),” Sonia said.
“I want to see men encourage one another to have all health checks.
“Simply asking a mate ‘have you gone and had your health check?’ could save their life. Look out for your mates.”
Support for men with prostate cancer is available by contacting prostate cancer specialist nurses Sonia Strachan and Nicole Lewis at the Peter Copulos Cancer Centre, GV Health, Shepparton, phone 5832 3777.
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