Prostate Cancer - Key Facts
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in New Zealand [i] with around 4,000 diagnosed every year [exceeding breast cancer levels], that’s an average of 10 every day.
- Prostate cancer is the second highest cause of cancer death in men after lung cancer, and the third highest for all sexes (behind lung and bowel cancers).
- 1 in 8 men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime.
- Around 700 Kiwi men die from prostate cancer each year, that’s almost 2 men every day.
- An estimated 42,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer are living in New Zealand.
- Māori men are 72 per cent more likely to die of prostate cancer once they are diagnosed than non-Māori men.
- 61% of prostate cancer survivors say they had no symptoms when diagnosed.
- Prostate cancer is a family issue – if a man has two or more first-degree relatives who were diagnosed with prostate cancer under the age of 65 years, then his risk increases by 5–11 times.
Prostate Cancer and Diet
Publications and the web are overflowing with stories about how this food, or that, can prevent or cure. There is growing evidence that eating a healthy, balanced diet can help in the recovery and enhance the effectiveness of the treatments for prostate cancer. A healthy, balanced diet will keep men strong and along with good physical activity can achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
The role of diet in prostate cancer - a PCFNZ National Conference 2023 Presentation
Among the line up of expert speakers running the full spectrum of important issues in the prostate cancer landscape at National Conference 2023 was Professor Richard Mithen, Interim Director and Professor of Nutrition at the Liggins Institute of the University of Auckland, and Chief Scientist for the New Zealand High Value Nutrition National Challenge.
Professor Mithen's research is focused on plant chemistry and human health, with a specific focus on the role of diet in the prevention of aggressive prostate cancer and neurodegenerative disease.
The New Zealand Cancer Action Plan
The New Zealand Cancer Action Plan 2019 - 2029 provides a pathway to improving cancer outcomes for all New Zealanders, setting out four main goals:
- New Zealanders have a system that delivers consistent and modern cancer care
- New Zealanders experience equitable cancer outcomes
- New Zealanders have fewer cancers
- New Zealanders have better cancer survival, supporting care and end-of-life care.
In 2019, the Ministry of Health launched Te Aho o Te Kahu, the Cancer Control Agency, an idependent departmental agency with the purpose of providing strong central leadership and implementation of the Cancer Action Plan.
Ministry of Health
Prostate Cancer Management and Referral Guidance
The Ministry of Health provides guidelines to help primary care practitioners provide men, their family and whānau with consistent, culturally appropriate information on prostate cancer testing and treatment.
The current Guidance was last published in 2015. Click here for more details.
Kupe
Prostate cancer affects every person differently. Sponsored by the Ministry of Health, Kupe is an online decision support tool to help them, or a whanau member, decide if they should get a prostate cancer check. Find out more at kupe.net.nz
Prostate Cancer Outcomes Registry New Zealand
The Prostate Cancer Outcomes Registry – New Zealand (PCOR-NZ) is an initiative proudly funded by the Movember Foundation in partnership with the Centre for Health Outcome Measures New Zealand (CHOMNZ).
This project focuses on the collection and reporting of data from thousands of men across New Zealand to better understand their prostate cancer journey and how it can be improved.
The Registry aims to collect health (demographic, diagnosis and treatment) information for all men diagnosed with prostate cancer in Australia and New Zealand.
While participants do not receive any direct benefit from their involvement in PCOR-NZ men with prostate cancer in the future may benefit from healthcare improvements produced by the research and reports out of the Registry.