July 05, 2018
Poor detection of prostate risk
A University of Auckland study has found New Zealand men are being diagnosed with prostate cancer later in life compared to men in the United States, and with higher prostate-specific antigen levels and higher disease grades.
Lead researcher Dr Nishi Karunasinghe says New Zealand men are diagnosed at a mean age of 66 years, compared to 62 years for the African Americans, and 64 years for European Americans.
Smoking, either currently or in the past as smoking, could delays diagnosis, which was a particular concern for Māori and Pacific men.
She recommended New Zealand health authorities address lower levels of screening for PSA antigens, delayed referral to specialist care and lower subsequent biopsies on those with elevated PSA levels compared to that of US.
In New Zealand, prostate cancer is the most commonly registered male cancer and the third most common cause of cancer deaths.
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