This week the threat of prostate cancer was brought closer to home. 

With the news Central Otago District Mayor Tim Cadogan was diagnoses with the cancer, I thought long about my family’s history with it. 

Both my grandparents as well as my father have had prostate cancer. 

As a result of this, I have been told it is not a matter of “if” I will have prostate cancer, it is a matter of “when” I will have it. 

The threat of it is extremely real. 

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer for New Zealand men. 

About 3500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year and more than 600 die from the condition. Prostate cancer is also the third most common cause of cancer death in New Zealand men.

That statistic puts it ahead or on par with breast cancer in New Zealand, which has between 2500 and 3000 cases each year, and about the same number of deaths. 

The problem is prostate cancer and men are a tricky thing. Men don’t like to see their doctor and many are embarrassed or “couldn’t be bothered” getting a check.

Prostate cancer also has never had such a good public relations or marketing image as other cancer awareness campaigns. 

It has the blue ribbon campaign, and Blue September, but it isn’t nearly as recognisable as some others, and not nearly talked about enough. 

According to Health Navigator, Over 600 men in New Zealand die of prostate cancer each year.

prostate cancer is most common in men aged over 50, but is more likely to cause problems if you get it when you are younger.

Some prostate cancers are slow growing and will never cause problems. Others are faster growing, can cause serious symptoms or even be life threatening.

If caught early, prostate cancer can be managed well and can usually be cured. However, not all prostate cancer needs to be treated.

If you have no symptoms, your doctor can help you decide whether a prostate test is right for you, by assessing your risk factors such as your age and family history.

If you’re 50 years or older, tell your doctor if you have any lower urinary tract symptoms such as poor flow of urine (pee), trouble starting or stopping peeing, needing to pee more often and urgently, or incontinence.

You can reduce your risk of prostate cancer by finding the cancer early and by having a healthy lifestyle.

The number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer in New Zealand has been increasing but the number of men dying from prostate cancer is decreasing. 

The reason for the increase in cases and the decrease in the number of deaths is because more men are being tested and successfully treated for prostate cancer at greater rates. 

Māori men are more likely than non-Māori men to die of prostate cancer because it is often found too late to cure. 

Men who live in rural areas are at greater risk than those who live in urban areas because they have less access to health services.

The risk of prostate cancer increases with age, family history, genetics (such as the presence of BRCA gene) and abnormal prostate testing

Simply, you become more at risk as you age and also if your brother or father has it.

So come on men, get tested. Put your health as your top priority. 

It can and probably will save your life. 

For more information on prostate cancer, click here.

For information on Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand, click here.