Earlier start for prostate exams urged

The age at which men are recommended to have their first prostate cancer test has been reduced from 50 to 40 years-old.

The recommendation has come from the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (Usanz).

It was based on evidence that the earlier diagnosis of prostate cancer would reduce the risk of death from the disease.

Men aged at least 40 should first undergo a simple physical examination and blood test because of increased awareness of men younger than 50 being diagnosed with prostate cancer, Usanz said today.

Not all men will require immediate treatment with monitoring and regular tests and examinations only needed in many cases in the short to medium term.

Each week more than 10 men under the age of 50 would be diagnosed with prostate cancer in New Zealand and Australia.

"The future risk of prostate cancer is closely related to a man's PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) level - a baseline PSA level above the median for age 40 is a predictor for prostate cancer," Usanz president David Malouf said.

"Such testing may not only allow for the earlier detection of more curable cancers, but may also allow for more efficient, less frequent testing," he said.

"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, while those at low risk should consider less frequent testing, he said.

"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," Dr Malouf said.

Usanz said 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.