Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia has welcomed the listing of PSMA PET/CT scanning for men with prostate cancer from July 1 2022, in a move that will improve the standard of care for thousands of men with higher risk forms of the disease.
PCFA's Chairman, Adjunct Associate Professor Stephen Callister, says the move will save lives.
"Australia has one of the highest rates of prostate cancer in the world, with one in every six Australian men likely to be diagnosed by age 85.
"Over 18,000 men will be diagnosed with the disease this year and 3,323 will die. It's a tragic toll that can be avoided if we can monitor the disease more closely to see whether it has spread.
"We commend the Government's investment of $14.2 million over four years for a new MBS item to subsidise scans for men with intermediate to high-risk and recurrent prostate cancer.
"Known as PSMA PET/CT, prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography scans support patients by providing additional information to inform treatment, which can lead to improved outcomes.
"It is estimated that these new MBS inclusions will result in an additional 18,600 services each year, helping thousands of men access better treatment to improve their prognosis.
"PCFA advocated strongly for this listing and co-funded the game-changing ProPSMA study which informed the decision - we look forward to seeing this life-saving technology made available to all men who need it," he said.
PCFA data has found that over the next 15 years the number of Australian men who die of prostate cancer will roughly equal the number of seats at the Sydney Cricket Ground, although many of these deaths are avoidable.
PCFA's CEO, Anne Savage, welcomed the listing in response to PCFA's advocacy.
"PSMA PET/CT scans are more accurate, provide more definitive results, minimise the patient's exposure to radiation, and allow clinicians to more effectively monitor and manage higher-risk prostate cancers.
"In essence, if we can see it, we can treat it, and we can improve our chances of beating it.
"This is a great step forward for thousands of Australian men and families who are at risk of prostate cancer and currently living with the disease.
"We look forward to providing men and families with expert nursing support and information on this exciting development," she said.
