What’s prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer occurs in some men when normal cells in the prostate gland start to grow abnormally and in an uncontrolled manner, resulting in a ‘malignant’ or cancerous tumour which has the potential to invade and destroy normal tissue.

Left undetected and untreated, prostate cancer may continue to grow and possibly spread elsewhere in the body, a process known as metastasis.

Key facts about prostate cancer in Australia

1. It was the most common cancer in Australia in 2011, with 19,993 new cases reported.

2. Around 17,250 new cases will be diagnosed in 2015, reflecting around 25 per cent of all cancers in men.

3. Prostate cancer caused 3,079 deaths in 2012 and is expected to cause 3,440 deaths in 2015.

4. By the end of 2009, there were 86,207 men still alive after being diagnosed with prostate cancer within the preceding five-year period.

5. For the period from 2007-11, men with prostate cancer had a 93 per cent chance of surviving for another five years, when compared to men in the general population.

6. Survival has improved over time, with five-year relative survival increasing from 57 per cent during 1982-86 to 93 per cent during 2007-11. This essentially means that more men affected by prostate cancer are surviving for a longer period.

This is where insurance products can help*

There are a number types of insurance products and benefits relevant to prostate cancer.

For example, suffering from adverse health effects due to prostate cancer may be eligible to claim Income Protection, Trauma and Total & Permanent Disablement (TPD) benefits, or Life Cover benefits in the event of a terminal illness or death.

Additional information

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) is the peak national body for prostate cancer in Australia, dedicated to reducing the impact of prostate cancer on Australian men, their partners, families and the wider community.

You can view prostate cancer information and resources on the PCFA’s website here.