MEDIA RELEASE
Australian men set to benefit from tests that indicate their risk of
prostate cancer, says peak national body
Sydney, Thursday October 1st 2009: The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) says
increased awareness about the benefits of testing for men and a focus on early detection will help
reduce the future impact of prostate cancer in Australia. PCFA was commenting on news that the
ABC TV program “Catalyst” will this evening seek to cast doubt on the benefits of tests which
provide guidance to men about their risk of prostate cancer. The two types of test at issue are a
blood test (a prostate-specific antigen or PSA
test)
and a manual examination (a digital rectal
examination).
According to Andrew Giles, CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, there is
enormous confusion about the benefits of these tests and the position of various stakeholders
about their appropriate use.
“They are useful indicators of elevated risk and men are entitled to make informed decisions
about the relevance of these tests for them on an individual basis.
We are not
talking about
national, compulsory, publicly funded screening
at a particular age. We are talking about
individual Australian men making decisions – at an appropriate time and in consultation with their
doctor – about whether it is time for them to have a test which helps indicate their risk of prostate
cancer,” said Giles.
“If the tests show elevated risk then they can be guided by their doctor about whether a biopsy
might shed further light. For most the test will be negative. But we know of many men who have
made the personal decision to undergo PSA tests
and lead to the discovery of an aggressive
prostate cancer.”
“We currently recommend that men at 50 with no family history of prostate cancer, and men at 40
with a family history, should talk to their doctor about voluntary annual assessments in the form of
a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test together with a Digital Rectal Examination (DRE),”
said Mr Giles.
“Clearly the PSA test is not a cancer specific marker. It simply acts as a useful alarm to indicate
there is a problem. Australian men should be encouraged to seek tests that help define their
individual risk of prostate cancer.”
ENDS
MEDIA: Martin Palin (0418 419 258) or Karina Candia (0402 307 056) at Palin Communications on 02 9412 2255.
NEWS 
