Reducing the date for prostate screenings
AUSTRALIA has one of the highest rates of prostate cancer in the world, with one in every six Australian men likely to be diagnosed by age 85.
Acting inspector of Dubbo police Justin Falkiner was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 44, after being rejected to get tested two years prior.
He expressed he had a family history of high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels as his father battled with prostate cancer for a decade, however, Justin was told he was too young to get tested, given the evidence of his family history.
After getting a blood test for an unrelated injury two years later, the PSA level returned at 21 – four times higher than the average for his age group.
Mr Falkiner was recommended to seek a specialist and get tests immediately – then told to have an operation within a week.
“It’s the three words that no one ever wants to hear from a doctor, ‘you have cancer’, it was definitely a shock when I found out as I had no symptoms,” he shared.
He said he began to worry for his wife and kids, being only five and seven at the time: “It was a very stressful period for my family and I”.
Like any curious mind, Mr Falkiner reverted to google and the internet to find answers despite his doctor directing him not to: “You can’t help it”.
Throughout the period, he said his children were too young to understand what was happening, but they were both supportive.
“It’s an upsetting time, but they were strong throughout it,” he remarked, sharing that his perspective altered along the way as he realised it was not only his journey, but his family's as well.
Mr Falkiner praised both his specialist and his surgeon as they made the process comfortable for him.
Having the option of travelling to Sydney or staying in Dubbo for his operation, Mr Falkiner said it was extremely convenient for him having the option to remain regional.
“The surgeon operated the radical prostatectomy by hand,” he continued saying he preferred to have the surgery here as the only difference is that he faced a slower recovery time.
In this year’s Federal Budget,
the age for PSA screening has been reduced from 50 to 40 for those with high risk family history.
“My specialist told me if I waited until I was 50 to get tested, I would’ve had a different outcome,” Mr Falkiner said – now it's been more than three years since his operation and he has not had any issues since.
“I still go for blood tests regularly, but after five years is when it should be cleared,” he shared.
Prostate Cancer Foundation of
Australia’s CEO Anne Savage said that when prostate cancer is detected at its earliest stages, the five-year relative survival rate for prostate cancer is nearly 100 per cent.
“If we can diagnose all men at the earliest stage and ensure they have access to new medicines and care, we can beat this disease,” Ms Savage explained.
“This funding will allow us to step up and take necessary action to ensure Australian men do not die before their time”.