but the whole point is that it's not skin cancer that plonks Aus and NZ at the highest rates of overall cancer in the world - it's part of the story - but, only part
here's another part - and I can tell you - I spent years in the sun - but, I never needed a hat for my prostate
Prostate cancer rates in Australia and New Zealand are among the highest in the world, particularly for men under 50.
## Prostate Cancer Incidence in Australia and New Zealand
1. **High Incidence Rates**: - Australia has an age-standardized incidence rate of approximately **105 per 100,000** men, while New Zealand's rate is even higher at about **100 per 100,000**[1]. These figures place both countries at the top globally for prostate cancer incidence. - In 2022, it was estimated that there would be around **24,217 new cases** of prostate cancer diagnosed in Australia alone, making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer among males[8].
2. **Age-Specific Trends**: - Prostate cancer rates significantly increase with age, but there has been a noted rise in diagnoses among younger men (under 50) as well. This trend is attributed to factors such as increased screening practices and awareness[5][6]. - For instance, between 1999 and 2008, there was a notable increase in prostate cancer diagnoses among Australian men under 65 years old[5].
3. **Comparative Statistics**: - The incidence of prostate cancer is influenced by various factors including PSA testing rates and healthcare practices. Australia and New Zealand have robust screening programs that contribute to early detection, which may explain their high incidence rates compared to other regions where such practices are less common[2][4].
4. **Mortality Rates**: - Despite the high incidence rates, both countries have seen improvements in survival rates due to advancements in treatment and early detection. For example, the five-year survival rate for prostate cancer in Australia is reported to be around **96%**[8].
In summary, Australia and New Zealand do indeed have some of the highest prostate cancer rates globally, particularly among younger men, driven by a combination of effective screening practices and increasing awareness of the disease.
Citations: [1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3814115/ [2] https://uroweb.org/guidelines/prostate-cancer/chapter/epidemiology-and-aetiology [3] https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.3322/caac.21834 [4] https://gco.iarc.who.int/media/glob...ions/927-australia-new-zealand-fact-sheet.pdf [5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4617845/ [6] https://aucklandradiationoncology.co.nz/news/prostate-cancer-treatment-improvements-nz/ [7] https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/overview [8] https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/statistics [9] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10170599/
