Prostate cancer fast facts - what’s happening in NZ?

About the problem:

● Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Kiwi men and the third highest cause of cancer death in men after lung cancer and bowel cancer

● 1 in 8 men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime

o 10 men are diagnosed every day

● Over 3000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year – that’s on par with breast cancer diagnosis levels

● Over 600 Kiwi men die from prostate cancer each year, that’s 1 or 2 men every day

● An estimated 41,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer are living in New Zealand

● Ma¯ori men are 72 per cent more likely to die of prostate cancer once they are diagnosed than non-Ma¯ori men

● 61% of prostate cancer survivors surveyed said they had no symptoms when diagnosed

● Prostate cancer is a family issue – if a man has two or more first-degree relatives who were

diagnosed with prostate cancer under the age of 65 years, then his risk increases by 5–11 times.

Impact:

● Between 10%-20% of men with prostate cancer progress to advanced/metastatic prostate cancer within 3-5 years

● The effects of having prostate cancer can be devastating on relationships, finances and careers, affecting not just families, but friendships, workplaces Left and above: Workplaces in both Invercargill and Mossburn getting into the spirit of Blue September last year.

and wider communities

● Often those treated are left with unwelcome outcomes of incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

About the testing process:

● Early detection saves lives – it’s as simple as that. Prostate cancer is very treatable when diagnosed early.

● A PSA blood test is all it takes to start the process – simple and quick

● If you’re between 50-70 then consider an annual prostate check that includes both a PSA blood test and a digital rectal

examination (DRE)

● Men over the age of 40 are strongly recommended to have regular prostate checks if there is a family history of prostate cancer

● Following preliminary blood or DRE tests, if there is an abnormality in results, a biopsy will be taken to make a diagnosis. Additionally, there are bone scans, MRI scans and PET/ CT scans which determine treatment options.

For more information visit: www.bluesptember.org.nz, www.prostate.org.nz