13 August 2024

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) has called on Australians to get active in the fight against prostate cancer, urging men and women to advocate, donate, and discuss the disease.

The call comes on the eve of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, with thousands expected to take part in The Long Run, Australia’s largest online event in support of families facing the disease.

PCFA CEO, Anne Savage, encouraged the community to get involved, either via taking part or by donating to support the 25,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer each year.

“The Long Run is a great way to inspire community action in the fight against our most common cancer.

“We’d love to see people signing up or sponsoring one of our participants who are going the distance for men and their families.

“Our ultimate goal is to help make prostate cancer history.”

Thousands of Long Run Legends nationwide are expected to join the online event this September, which aims to raise $1 million for research, awareness, and support.

Go to www.thelongrun.org.au to register. For more information and to find a local support group, call 1800 22 00 99 or go to www.prostate.org.au.

ENDS

Media contact:

Laura Gillett | 0468 788 609


About PCFA:

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is Australia’s leading community-based organisation for prostate cancer research, awareness, and support. PCFA’s vision is a future where no man dies of prostate cancer and Australian men and their families get the support they need, reducing the burden of prostate cancer for all Australians by mobilising the community to drive research, prevention and early detection, improved treatment, and world-class psychosocial care. Our focus is to be Australia’s leading charity fund for Australian-based prostate cancer research; to protect the health of existing and future generations of men in Australia; and to improve quality of life for Australian men diagnosed with prostate cancer and their families.

Facts and figures:

Key figures: 

  • Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia.
  • 70 Australian men are diagnosed each day with prostate cancer.
  • 10 Australian men will die each day from the disease.
  • 250,000 Australian men are alive today after a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
  • Men diagnosed with prostate cancer have a 95% chance of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population.
  • Between 1982–1987 and 2012–2016, five-year relative survival for prostate cancer improved from 58% to 95%.

Detailed data:

  • Prostate cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer-related death among men.
  • Prostate cancer caused an estimated 12% of all male deaths from cancer in 2020.
  • The estimated risk of a man being diagnosed with prostate cancer by age 85 is 1 in 5.
  • The estimated risk of a man dying from prostate cancer by his 85th birthday is 1 in 22.
  •   The rate of men dying from prostate cancer has been gradually falling over the past 20  

       years.

  • Men living in regional or rural areas have a 24% higher rate of dying than those in cities.
  • Indigenous men with prostate cancer have a 50% higher risk of death from the disease.
  • By 2040 it is estimated that 372,000 Australian men – or 2.4% of the projected male

      population – will be living with prostate cancer.

Mental health impacts of disease:

  • 1 in 5 men with prostate cancer will develop anxiety and depression.
  • 72% of men with prostate cancer will not seek help for distress.
  • 67% of men with prostate cancer have unmet information needs.
  • Men with prostate cancer face a 70% increased risk of suicide.