* There were 5,913 new cases of prostate cancer in NSW in 2005
* It is the third most common cause of cancer death in men. In 2005, 980 men died of prostate cancer in NSW
* Based on 2005 figures, 1 in 7 men in NSW will develop prostate cancer by the age of 75
* The good news is that early detection has a good prognosis and the survival rate has continued to improve from 59.4 per cent in 1980-83 to 88.3 per cent in 1993-2003. This is largely due men beginning to discuss the disease. Alan’s choice to go public will raise awareness further and hopefully encourage men to take the necessary precautions on prostate cancer
* Family history is a key risk factor for prostate cancer. The risk is increased in men who have more than one relative or a first-degree relative, such as father, brother or son, with prostate cancer, or a family member diagnosed before the age of 60
* Incidence rates and mortality rates increase with age and 35% of new cases and 64% of deaths occurred in males aged 75 and over
