Prostate problems are more common as men get older.
The prostate grows from the mid-30’s and can cause urinary obstructive symptoms with poor stream, or can cause bladder overactivity symptoms with increased urinary frequency, urgency, nocturia or even incontinence. More about symptoms
We recommend you have a prostate health check if you are over 50 years or if you have any urinary symptoms that bother you.
Prostate cancer is the most common internal cancer diagnosed in men, and the risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age, positive family history, BRAC2 gene and other factors.
Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment:
- Find Prostate cancer early, while it is still curable, in men who will benefit from treatment
- Reassure men who do not have Prostate cancer
- Have a plan for long-term followup with your GP, particularly if you have an elevated PSA or a family history of Prostate cancer.
How do we find Prostate Cancer?
The Prostate Specific Antigen (or PSA) blood test can help us to assess your Prostate cancer risk. PSA change over time (PSA Velocity) and this can be used to assess your cancer risk. An elevated PSA test does not necessarily mean that prostate cancer is present, but it the best way to start your assessment.
We will need to know if you have a family history of Prostate cancer or a BRAC2 gene.
At your first consultation, you will have a prostate examination and ultrasound. We will discuss the next steps, either to have further PSA tests or a prostate MRI scan.
| Your Age | Normal “Age-specific” PSA |
| < 50 years | < 2.5ng/ml |
| 50-60 years | < 3.5ng/ml |
| 60-70 years | < 4.5ng/ml |
| > 70 years | < 6.5ng/ml |
Prostate MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans are routinely used in Prostate cancer risk assessment. Larger and more aggressive cancers show up very well on these scans, and we can use the MRI images to accurately target them with prostate biopsies. Small prostate cancers look just like normal prostate tissue on MRI and are often not seen very well. The cost of Prostate MRI scans are usually covered by Medicare when ordered by a Urologist.
What is a Prostate Biopsy?
Prostate biopsy is usually done under an anaesthetic using one of two techniques:
• Trans-rectal Ultrasound (or TRUS) Biopsy – an ultrasound probe is passed into the rectum, ultrasound images are used to guide needle biopsies through the back passage.
• Trans-perineal (TP) template or MRI fusion-guided biopsy – an ultrasound probe is passed into the rectum and the ultrasound images and your MRI images are fused together in a computer. This is a very accurate way to guide needle biopsies to the target area. The needle biopsies are taken through the perineum (skin behind the scrotum).
After your biopsy, you will have an appointment to discuss the results and plan the next steps.
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
