Spotlight on Urology

Spotlight on Urology takes a look at recent activities undertaken to advance urology around the world. This week, we share an update of recent media coverage on prostate cancer and benign prostate enlargement, as well as announce the outcome of the EOI for the RACS ASC Urology Program Convenor.

Prostate Cancer Media

Following news of Jeremy Clarkson's prostate cancer diagnosis, USANZ President Damien Bolton on behalf of USANZ has published an article in Life Science Daily News. He emphasised that prostate cancer is impacting younger men, increasing the need for disease awareness.

Damien noted that "most prostate cancers can be managed without intervention for prolonged periods of time, and even if they should become more aggressive over time, they are usually curable at the time this change is detected. This standard of management is available to all men in Australia via a Medicare system that provides for practice equivalent to the world’s best."

The important takeaway is that medical issues are identified and managed earlier, rather than later.

Thank you, Damien, for lending your expertise to ongoing men's health advocacy.
 

Benign Prostate Enlargement Media

Benign prostate enlargement continues to receive media attention, following USANZ's June media release on this topic. This follows previous announcements of media coverage, published in UroNews on 26 June and 3 July.

This week, USANZ Male Lower Urinary Tract SAG member Eric Chung was interviewed on ABC SA & NT Evenings with Spence Denny on 8 July. The interview focused on what symptoms to look out for and different treatment options that are available.

Spence opened the interview by reading a quote from Peter Goers' article in the Sunday Mail: "The only time I don't need to pee is when I'm peeing."

Eric noted that prostates do get larger with ageing, but sometimes enlargement is caused by inflammation which should be investigated by a medical practitioner. He also spoke about how enlargement is not necessarily a precursor to prostate cancer, and that urinary symptoms are more commonly related to enlargement rather than cancer.

Eric explained different treatment options, effectively translating the medical processes and potential side effects for a public audience.

Both Eric and Spence spoke about the value of mainstream conversations of these conditions, including King Charles' diagnosis in 2024 leading to more screening tests worldwide. Early detection is key to successful treatment.

Listen to the interview (starts at 2.12.20).

USANZ thanks Eric for his continued contributions to this important public discussion.
 

EOI Outcome

Recently, the USANZ Board of Directors called for Expressions of Interest for the Urology Program Convenor at RACS 2027 Annual Scientific Congress, to be held from 29 April to 2 May 2027 in Melbourne.

The Board is delighted to announcement that Wenjie Zhong has been selected for this role.

As Urology Program Convenor, Wenjie will develop the scientific program with the assistance of the RACS conference organising personnel.

Congratulations Wenjie! We look forward to the Urology Program next May!
 

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