Australian men will benefit from new clinical practice guidelines on the early detection and management of prostate cancer.
The new guidelines reflect the latest medical evidence and technological advances in prostate cancer diagnosis and management. They aim to support earlier detection, by focusing on each person’s risk of developing prostate cancer, while reducing the potential harms caused by overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
The 2026 Clinical Guidelines for the Early Detection of Prostate Cancer replace the previous guidelines released in 2016.
They were developed by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia in partnership with Cancer Council Australia with a $770,000 grant from the Australian Government.
To support implementation of the guidelines, the government is providing $320,000 to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners to develop and implement an education and awareness program for doctors.
GPs are the first point of contact for men considering prostate cancer testing. The education program will help doctors to discuss relevant issues with their patients and support their patients to make informed decisions about testing, considering their individual risk, possible benefits and harms, and their values and preferences.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, with around 28,000 men diagnosed annually, and almost 4,000 men losing their lives each year.
The guidelines have been approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council and are available on the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia website.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“The new guidelines reflect the latest research and medical advances in prostate cancer.
“The guidelines will ensure men and their families get the right support earlier.”
Quotes attributable to Special Envoy Repacholi:
“As co-chair of the government’s Prostate Cancer Expert Advisory Group which was established in March, I am committed to better detection, treatment, and care for Australian men with prostate cancer.
“As the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, prostate cancer has significant impacts on men, their families and the wider community.
“I encourage any bloke aged 45 or more to have a chat with their doctor about whether they are at higher risk of prostate cancer and need to be tested.”
Quotes attributable to Prof. Dorothy Keefe PSM MD, CEO Cancer Australia:
“The new clinical guidelines will help maximise the early detection of prostate cancer in Australian men.
“This approach closely aligns with the Australian Cancer Plan, which highlights the importance of personalised evidence-based early detection strategies.
“The work by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners to raise doctors’ awareness of the new guidelines is a critical step to ensure their effective implementation.”
Quotes attributable to PCFA Chief Executive Anne Savage:
“These Guidelines provide Australia with an extraordinary opportunity to reduce deaths from our most commonly diagnosed cancer.”
“Realising that opportunity will require coordinated implementation, clinician education, consumer awareness, and ongoing investment in evidence-based care.”
