31 Aug Blue September: Prostate Cancer awareness month up ahead
On average over 3,000 New Zealand men are being diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and early detection can lead to better outcomes. Regular screening and being cognizant of any symptoms or signs is also important.
Blue September is the prostate cancer awareness month initiative led by the Prostate Cancer Foundation New Zealand (PCF).
Here are some statistics on prostate cancer in NZ from the PCF.
✔ Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in NZ, with 600 deaths from prostate cancer each year*
✔ The majority of men with prostate cancer are over the age of 65. About one in 13 men will develop prostate cancer before the age of 75. In very elderly men, prostate cancer often grows very slowly and may cause no symptoms
✔ Regular prostate checks are important for men who are over the age of 40 if there is a family history of prostate cancer
✔ There are two simple recommended ways to detect prostate cancer; the PSA blood test and the physical examination called the Digital Rectal Examination (DRE).
When prostate cancer is detected, depending on how advanced it is and a number of other factors, the appropriate responses include active surveillance (no active treatment, but watch and wait), surgery, radiation therapy, permanent seed brachytherapy and hormone therapy to name a few.
For more information refer to the Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ website here.
nib provides support for members with cancer through the Hospital Surgical benefit, Hospital Medical benefit, Non-PHARMAC benefit and the Follow-up Investigation for Cancer benefit available with Ultimate Health Max, Ultimate Health and Easy Health base cover. Plus with Ultimate Health Max members have access to cancer treatment counselling and support.
For more information on the above benefits and their terms and conditions please get in touch.
This article was originally published by nib nz Limited.
* Statistics from the Ministry of Health 2007 – 2009 which show an average of 3082 registrations and 602 deaths).