The common prostate cancer myths costing lives

It’s expected that 26,368 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in Australia this year.

Figures such as these have prompted the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ) to issue a warning about widespread prostate cancer misconceptions that could be costing men their lives.

Misconceptions such as the belief that men must exhibit symptoms before being tested and the fear of undergoing an invasive rectal examination can lead to delayed diagnoses and poorer health outcomes.

“Many men believe that they need to have urinary symptoms to be concerned about prostate cancer,” said Associate Professor Weranja Ranasinghe, Deputy Leader of USANZ’s GU-Oncology Special Advisory Group.

“The reality is that most prostate cancers develop without any symptoms at all. Urinary symptoms are not reliable – most of these symptoms are caused by non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate but advanced cancer can also give you urinary symptoms. So it is important to get checked.”

Another major barrier preventing men from getting tested for prostate cancer is the outdated belief that the testing process necessitates an invasive rectal examination. This misconception not only discourages men from seeking necessary screenings but also perpetuates unnecessary fear and anxiety surrounding the diagnosis.

“This is a common fear among men, but it’s no longer necessary for initial prostate cancer screening,” Ranasinghe said.

“A simple PSA blood test, combined with advanced imaging like MRI, is now the standard approach. Many men are avoiding tests due to this outdated fear, but in the GP setting, a rectal exam is currently not required for detecting prostate cancer.”

Ranasinghe also emphasised the importance of men understanding their risk factors for prostate health, especially since a family history of prostate cancer greatly increases their vulnerability. If a close blood relative has had the disease, their risk can rise significantly—sometimes by as much as five times.

“What’s less well-known is the connection between breast cancer genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) and prostate cancer,” Ranasinghe said.

“Men with female relatives who have had breast or ovarian cancer are also at an increased risk of prostate cancer due to the same genetic mutations. So we recommend that men with a strong family history get a PSA test at the age of 40, which is earlier than the recommended age.”

Another worrying trend is that many men delay getting tested until they hear about prostate cancer affecting someone within their social circle. This reactive approach can lead to missed opportunities for early detection when treatment is often most effective.

“We often see men wait until a friend or relative is diagnosed before thinking about getting a prostate cancer PSA test done,” Ranasinghe explained.

“This reactive approach is dangerous. Men need to be proactive and take ownership of their prostate health and talk to their GPs about this, just like they would with cholesterol or other routine health checks.”

In recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month this September, USANZ is urging men to overcome these myths and fears and get tested early.

“Early detection saves lives. A quick blood test could make all the difference between catching prostate cancer early, when it’s most treatable, than facing more difficult outcomes later on,” said Ranasinghe.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.