Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a malignant tumour of the prostate - a walnut-sized gland surrounding the male urethra just below the bladder.
Prostate cancer can grow slowly with little or no side effects; or it can progress rapidly with significant and potentially fatal side effects.
Prostate cancer represents as big a threat for men as breast cancer does for women. It is the most common type of cancer in Australian men, and the second highest cause of cancer death, after lung cancer.
As our population ages, the incidence of prostate cancer increases dramatically. It has risen by two-thirds in the last decade. At this rate, it will double by 2020.
Prostate Cancer Facts
- In Australia over 14,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed each year. One in nine men will develop prostate cancer
- Over 3,000 men die from prostate cancer each year
- Prostate cancer accounts for 12.9% of all cancer deaths
- The incidence of prostate cancer has risen by over 2/3rds in the last decade
Risk Factors
Researchers are learning more and more about the risk factors of getting prostate cancer but the cause of the disease is still unknown. Research suggests that there are several indicators which have been associated with the incidence of prostate cancer but there is still no conclusive evidence as to how these increase the chance of developing the disease.
Research guidelines advise that the chances of getting prostate cancer are higher:
- If there is a family history of the disease
- In men over the age of 50
- In a diet rich in high saturated fats
- A diet low in fibre, fruit and vegetables
Today, PA researchers are...
achieving a 90% cure rate, thanks to advances in early diagnosis in prostate cancer research.
Ongoing PA research is investigating two key areas:
- identifying whether a patient’s condition is slow or fast spreading
- determining the appropriate level of treatment required
The PA Hospital is now home to the National Prostate
Cancer Research Centre, one of only two of its kind in
the southern hemisphere. This centre established in a
patient setting enables our researchers to directly translate
their results into better quality of life and life expectancy
for patients with the disease.
Prevention Tips
You may be able to reduce your risk of prostate cancer by maintaing a healthy diet and weight and regular check ups with your doctor.
| Eat a variety of healthy foods including:
Whole grains, cereals, rice, pasta and beans
Essential fatty acids, omega 3 founds in tuna, trout,
leafy green vegetables,
tofu, walnuts
|
Limit your intake of red
meat and animal fats
especially high fat or
processed meats
|
If you are over the age of
50 or have family history
of prostate cancer have
regular prostate check
ups with your doctor.
|
