05 May 2025
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is urging eligible men to get checked for prostate cancer following the shock diagnosis of Barnaby Joyce.
The veteran National Party MP and former Deputy Prime Minister announced his diagnosis on Sunday (May 4) and is having surgery today.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian adults, claiming the lives of nearly 4,000 men every year.
PCFA CEO Anne Savage said early detection was key to survival.
“Five-year relative survival for men diagnosed at Stage 1 is 100 per cent, a figure which drops to just 36 per cent for men diagnosed at Stage 4, when the disease is more advanced.
“We urge men over the age of 40 to discuss their risks of prostate cancer with a GP and to consider having a PSA test today.
“The PSA is a simple and non-invasive blood test, which provides you with a reading of how much prostate specific antigen you have in your blood serum.
“If your PSA is elevated, you should be referred to a specialist for more tests.”
58-year-old Mr Joyce was diagnosed after having a PSA test and told news outlets this morning he’d been going to the toilet more frequently, which can be a symptom of prostate cancer.
PCFA has recently released new draft guidelines for the early detection of prostate cancer, including a world-first recommendation to offer a baseline PSA test to interested men from the age of 40.
Men with a strong family history of prostate cancer should begin testing for the disease in their 40s, while men at an average risk, with no symptoms, should undergo regular two-yearly testing from the age of 50.
Call PCFA on 1800 22 00 99 for more information about testing or to find a local Support Group.
Visit www.prostate.org.au for information online.
