Prostate cancer survivorship care: If not now, when?

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australian men, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, and it is estimated that there are over 220 000 Australian men living with a diagnosis of prostate cancer [1]. Survival for men with prostate cancer is excellent in countries that have accessible screening and treatment services, and in Australia 5-year relative survival is over 95% [1]. High incidence, coupled with improving long-term survival, leads to a correspondingly high prevalence rate and high community disease burden. Many men with prostate cancer experience long-term decrements in their mental and physical quality of life, overall they have a greater suicide risk than their non-cancer peers, and unmet supportive care needs are pervasive [2]. In this context, survivorship care for men with prostate cancer is crucial in both the short and long term. The recent development of a Prostate Cancer Survivorship Essentials Framework in the Australian and New Zealand setting provides an example of a regional response to this issue that delivers guidance for policy makers, clinicians, community and consumers on what is essential for step change in prostate cancer survivorship outcomes [3]