MEDIA RELEASE PR36247
Prostate Cancer Test Age Lowered to 40
SYDNEY, Sept. 23 /Medianet International-AsiaNet/ --
Under embargo until 6am 23rd September 2009
The age at which men are recommended to first have a test to help identify prostate cancer has been reduced
from 50 to 40 years of age.
This test should be done after the patient has been advised by the doctor of the benefits and potential
consequences of testing for prostate cancer, including the risk of the detection of cancers which may not require
immediate treatment.
The recommendation from the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand
(USANZ), which is the peak body for urological surgeons in both countries, is based on evidence that the earlier
diagnosis of prostate cancer will reduce the risk of death from the disease.
USANZ says men should first undergo a simple physical examination and blood test at or beyond the age of 40,
due to increased awareness of men younger than 50 being diagnosed with prostate cancer, and the publication of
medical studies demonstrating a better prognosis if prostate cancer is picked up earlier.
Not all men will require immediate treatment with "active surveillance" being appropriate in many cases in the
short to medium term.
This means the patient is monitored by regular tests and examinations but the cancer is not immediately treated.
Each week more than 10 men under the age of 50 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in Australia and New
Zealand.
USANZ recommends that men aged 40 years or older undergo an initial Prostate
Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test following consultation with their GP or urologist which will help to stratify them
into risk categories, based on the test results.
"The future risk of prostate cancer is closely related to a man's PSA level; a baseline PSA level above the median
for age 40 is a predictor for prostate cancer. Such testing may not only allow for the earlier detection of more
curable cancers, but may also allow for more efficient, less frequent testing", said USANZ President, Dr David
Malouf.
"GPs should be offering a PSA test to 40 year old men in conjunction with a digital rectal examination (DRE) after
discussing with them the subsequent potential issues.
"Those identified as being at higher risk should undergo regular tests; those at low risk should consider less
frequent testing.
"A PSA level higher than 0.6 in a 40 year old is considered higher risk, as is a level of higher than 0.7 in a 50 year
old, and regular monitoring is recommended for these groups.
"There is firm data that PSA testing reduces the risk of being diagnosed with advanced disease, and that
treatment of prostate cancer at an early stage can lead to a reduced risk of death.
"If we continue to wait until men are 50 before being tested, we will miss some with prostate cancer who could
have been identified much earlier, monitored by their GPs and urologists and received timely appropriate advice
and treatment. These men have a better prognosis if they are picked up earlier.
"There is now strong evidence that having a baseline PSA test at age 40 is a smart move which can help
determine whether a man is in a low risk or high risk category and enabling appropriate follow-up to occur", Dr
Malouf said.
USANZ advises that other factors such as family history of prostate cancer, age, overall health and ethnicity
should be combined with the results of PSA testing and physical examination in order to better determine the risk of
prostate cancer.
"Prostate cancer testing at any age remains an individual decision that men should make in full consultation with
their GPs and urologist", Dr. Malouf said.
NB: a full transcript of USANZ's PSA testing policy can be viewed from 6am,
A media conference will be held today at 11.30am, Level 5, Royal Automobile Club 89 Macquarie Street, Sydney.
Available for interview are USANZ President, Dr David Malouf and a prostate cancer survivor, Ross Jeffrey.
For media unable to attend, or outside of Sydney (including NZ) separate
interviews are available by arrangement.
Media enquiries:
Edwina Gatenby
Phone: 61 + 2 99659300
Mobile: 0402 130 254 (61 402 130 254 if calling from NZ)
Ross Jeffery's story
Two years ago, at the age of just 46, Ross Jeffery was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Ross sought his prostate cancer test after his brother, also in his 40s, was diagnosed with the cancer.
"My brother was having treatment for a knee injury and his GP at the time, offered him PSA test which picked up
the cancer.
Ross' PSA tests over the next two years showed progressive increases in PSA levels, and in January 2007 he
had surgery to remove the cancer.
As a father of two boys, Ross says men should be offered a prostate cancer test in their 40s.
"I'm living proof that there is a real risk that men can get this disease in their 40s."
"Men by their nature tend to outsource their healthcare, and that's why I think it's important that this test is put in
front of them."
In April this year Ross and a group of six friends rode their motorbikes 300,000 kilometres around the outback
and raised $12,000 for cancer care and research.
SOURCE: Maxicom Public Relations
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