Did you know men die on average six years earlier than women? 

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But it doesn’t have to be this way. To mark the beginning of Movember, we spoke to Professor David Gillatt about the danger of one of the big killers –prostate cancer – and why men need to be on the lookout for early warning signs.

Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia and still kills far too many due often to late diagnosis. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a simple blood test which can indicate if a man is at risk of having the disease. A very low level for example in a man in his 40s is predictive of a low risk of developing cancer. A raised level, age-adjusted, indicates a possibility of cancer and requires further tests, usually an MRI scan and biopsy.

Risk factors for prostate cancer include increasing age, a family history and ethnic origin, the highest risk groups are those of African origin.

If diagnosed early, a sensible assessment of the cancer is required as small low-grade, non-aggressive cancers may stay quiescent for the patient’s lifetime and are best managed by monitoring regularly to avoid overtreatment. If there are indicators of potential aggression, early treatment with surgery – robotic or open – radiation or even focally targeted therapies may be required.

If the disease spreads or is advanced at diagnosis, there have been a number of developments in drug therapy which have improved the likelihood of long-term control and a better quality of life.

If you have concerns about the possibility of prostate cancer or indeed have a diagnosis, MQ Health has a highly skilled multidisciplinary team who can address the individual needs of patients.