St Vincent's Private Hospital Northside Urologists, Dr William Bowes and Dr Jamie Reynolds.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Australian men, with almost 29,000 new cases expected to be diagnosed each year. While it predominantly affects older men, advances in screening, diagnosis, and treatment are helping identify more cancers earlier, improving treatment options and long-term outcomes.
At St Vincent's Private Hospital Northside, our urologists are seeing first-hand how greater awareness is encouraging men to be more proactive about their health.
For many men, prostate cancer has historically been an uncomfortable topic of conversation. However, according to St Vincent's Private Hospital Northside urologists Dr William Bowes and Dr Jamie Reynolds, that is beginning to change.
When to Get Tested
Understanding your personal risk and discussing PSA testing with your GP can be an important part of looking after your prostate health.
"For men with a strong family history, we need to be thinking about testing at a younger age," says Dr Bowes.
Dr Bowes recommends men discuss a baseline PSA test with their GP from age 40.
"I would say that all men over the age of 40 should see their GP and discuss having a baseline PSA test," he says.
For men with a family history of prostate cancer, Dr Reynolds recommends more regular monitoring.
"If they have a family history of prostate cancer, their PSA should then be checked regularly, potentially every year. Other men could have their PSA checked every couple of years," says Dr Reynolds.
SVPHN Urologist, Dr William Bowes
SVPHN Urologist, Dr Jamie Reynolds
Advances in Diagnosis
PSA testing remains an important tool for early detection, but advances in imaging are changing the way prostate cancer is investigated.
The updated guidelines highlight the role of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) before prostate biopsy for men with an elevated PSA. MRI can help specialists identify clinically significant cancers and may reduce unnecessary biopsies.
Dr Reynolds says advances in imaging are improving diagnosis and treatment planning.
"MRI is better and PET scans are better," he says. "That helps with diagnosis and staging, which means we can make more accurate treatment decisions."
For patients, this means care is increasingly tailored using a combination of PSA results, imaging, specialist assessment and individual risk factors.
St Vincent's Private Hospital Northside
The Benefits of a Multidisciplinary Approach
At St Vincent's Private Hospital Northside, patients can access a multidisciplinary model of care through the Urology Service, bringing together experts to determine the most appropriate treatment pathway for each individual.
"The biggest benefit is that everyone gets together to consider all the options for each individual patient," says Dr Bowes.
Pathology results and imaging can be reviewed collectively, with urologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and radiologists contributing to treatment decisions.
"Not everyone with prostate cancer needs surgery," Dr Bowes explains. "Some patients may be better suited to radiotherapy or active surveillance."
This collaborative approach helps ensure treatment recommendations are tailored to each patient's diagnosis, health status and preferences.
