Prostate cancer cases have surged. 

According to new data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, nearly 16 per cent of all cancers diagnosed in Australia are prostate cancer.

Per year, over 26,000 men are diagnosed with the disease, equating to around 70 men daily, and disastrously, nearly 11 men die from the cancer each day.

To Australia’s peak body for the disease, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), this new data set is a “wake-up call”.

‘The toll prostate cancer takes on the lives of everyday Australians is tremendous,’ says PCFA CEO, Anna Savage. ‘Beyond the high burden of lives lost and the cruel side effects of treatment, prostate cancer costs more than $1.35 billion to treat every year, and accounts for more hospitalisations than any other form of cancer.’

In September for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, PCFA are holding a national event The Long Run.

Australians are asked to help conquer prostate cancer by waking, running or riding 72km during the month, raising awareness and money for Australian men. Funds raised with be put towards research and support services. Currently, PCFA have 110 Prostate Cancer Nurses nationally, have invested over $70 million in research, and nearly 2 in 3 men diagnosed are supported by PCFA.

‘We must do more to support early detection and timely treatment with the very latest medicines,’ says CEO Savage.

To find out more about Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, visit https://www.pcfa.org.au/

To find out more about The Long Run, visit www.thelongrun.org.au/home