Exercise and metabolic disease/prostate/Prevalence

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in Australian men. Each year around 3 300 men die from the diseae. Close to 20 000 men are diagnosed each year and this number appears to be rising(2).

In the period from 1978 to 1992 the incidence of prostate cancer increased from 33.8 per 100 000 to 53.5, in Australia. These rates have tended to increase as the number PSA (prostate specific antigen) tests have increased over the years, suggesting that there may be any number of undiagnosed cases of prostate cancer.

The prevalence of prostate cancer increases greatley as a man gets older, jumping from 1 in 1 000 men in their 40's being diagnosed, up to 80 in 1 000 for men in their 70's. Australian men have a 1 in 5 chance of developing the disease by the age of 85. As mentioned, the likelihood of being diagnosed increases with age and also if there is a family history. The risk is nearly double if a family history exists. Men who live in rural areas also have a 21% higher diagnosis rate when compared to men living in the city. .

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is becoming a more and more popular treatment method for men with prostate cancer. From 2003 to 2009 the use of ADT increased by more than 40%. Up to 50% of prostate cancer patients now receive ADT.