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 on recent media for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. 

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, bringing significant media attention, especially following the recent release of new Guidelines for Early Detection of Prostate Cancer. USANZ also released a media release to coioncide with the month: No need to fear: The change to prostate testing guidelines men need to know about.

USANZ Vice President Ashani Couchman was interviewed by Spence Denny for ABC SA & NT Evenings on 9 September. The show was syndicated across a number of stations including ABC Broken Hill, ABC Riverland, ABC Alice Springs and more.

Ashani emphasised the importance of having more conversations around prostate cancer, encouraging men to start the conversation with their GP from age 45-49, including possible PSA testing.

She also noted that research over the past decade, culminating in the above Guidelines, has produced better awareness of risk factors and more sophisticated tools for screening, as well as guidance for mitigating over-diagonsis and over-treatment (especially for low grade prostate cancer) while also enabling early identification. Ashani also clearly explained that when prostate cancer is diagnosed decisions about treatment are made on a case-by-case basis, balancing patient need and pathological risk to maximise quality and quantity of life.

Listen to the Ashani intervew (commences at 2.09.05).

In addition, USANZ Member Weranja Ranasinghe (Genitourinary Oncology SAG Leader) was interviewed on ABC Victoria Drive with Prue Bentley on 10 September. The show was broadcast to a number of different stations including ABC Shepparton, Mildura and Ballarat.

Weranja acknowledged that men are often reluctant to seek healthcare but noted that prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia but often does not present any symptoms. He explained that the new Guidelines provide clear advice around risk factors including family history of prostate, ovarian or breast cancers, age, Sub-Saharan or Indigenous background, or BRCA mutations, as well as a range of treatment options especially if cancers are identified early.

Weranja strongly echoed the recommendation for men to book in to their GP to start the conversation.

Listen to the Weranja interview (commences 1.38.30)

The USANZ team also arranged for a patient, Greg Jacobs to speak with Steve Martin for ABC Ballarat's breakfast program on 10 September.

In 2025, Greg, age 51, had a PSA test as part of routine blood testing with his GP. He did not have any symptoms but did have a family history of prostate cancer. The test revealed elevated PSA and after further testing Greg was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer. He underwent surgery in January 2026 for removal of the prostate cancer. He has continued to have PSA tests every 3 months but levels have been negligible.

Greg said he had been sharing his experience with his friends and is now happy to speak more publicly about prostate cancer, in an effort to encourage men to speak more about their health with their GPs as well as friends and family.

Listen the Greg interview (commences 25.30).

Thank you to Ashani and Weranja for contributing your expertise to this critical public health conversation and to Greg for sharing your personal experiences.
 

Submit Content: Spotlight on Urology

If you have a story you would like to share, please see how to Submit Content for Publication