Prostate cancer is now Australia’s most common cancer

Breast cancer is no longer the most common cancer in Australia.

Diagnoses of prostate cancer are forecast to surge by 34 per cent to 24,217 this year, making it the most common cancer in the country.

It comes after the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare changed the way it calculates prostate cancer projections.

Chief of mission and head of research at Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, Professor Jeff Dunn, says Australia’s prostate cancer guidelines, which are now six years old, are in urgent need of an update.

“The data that was used for them is now surpassed. We have new data, what we also have is new techniques,” he told Stephen Quartermain and Elise Elliott, filling in for Ross and Russel.

Professor Dunn says those at highest prostate cancer risk should talk to their GP.

“If you’re a bloke out there, and you’re 50 years or older, go and talk to your GP,” he said.

“If you’ve got a family history … talk to your general practitioner from 40.”

Press PLAY below to hear Professor Dunn’s advice