Time to read : 4 Minutes
As men age, they're more likely to develop prostate cancer. In fact, according to statistics from the Cancer Council, more than 24,200 Australian males were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022, with the average age at diagnosis being 69 years old.
If you get diagnosed, understanding the cost of prostate cancer treatment can help you make positive healthcare decisions to support your recovery and future wellbeing.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells in the prostate gland grow in an uncontrolled way to form a malignant tumour.
Treatment for prostate cancer
The treatment you need to protect you from prostate cancer depends on the extent of the cancer.
Making sure you understand what is covered by your health insurance and Medicare matters.
Staging
The staging system used for prostate cancer describes the stage of the cancer from stage 1 to stage 4 . Ninety per cent of patients present with local disease. To determine any further spread, your doctor may recommend bone and CT scans.
Surveillance
For low-risk prostate cancer (that is not causing symptoms and is small, slow growing and not likely to spread further), active surveillance is the best protection.
This typically includes PSA tests every three to six months, as well as rectal examinations every six months, plus MRI scans and biopsies at 12 months and three years.
Another form of monitoring prostate cancer is known as ‘watchful waiting’. This involves regular PSA tests and check-ups, and is best suited for older men when the cancer is unlikely to cause a problem in their lifetime.
Surgery
Surgery to remove the whole prostate (radical prostatectomy) does carry the risk of side-effects, which may include incontinence and impotence.
Depending on your age and stage in life, seeking treatment options for these potential side-effects, if they do happen to you, can incur extra expenses.
Radiation therapy (radiotherapy)
Radiation therapy (radiotherapy) is another treatment option that suits some men with early prostate cancer, or if surgery is not an option.
Side-effects are similar to surgery, though bowel problems may also occur.
Androgen deprivation therapy (hormone therapy)
Prostate cancer needs testosterone to grow. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is used to slow the production of testosterone and is often used before, during and after radiation therapy. It is sometimes used in conjunction with chemotherapy.
Palliative care
If the prostate cancer has spread or is beyond treatment, your medical team may recommend palliative care to help improve your quality of life by alleviating symptoms of cancer.
As well as slowing the spread of prostate cancer, this treatment can also alleviate pain and help symptom management. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy and other drug therapies may all be utilised.
Your support team of medical professionals
Depending on your diagnosis, your medical support team may include a range of practitioners and specialists, including:
GP (general practitioner) – works with your specialists to coordinate treatment
urologist – specialises in the treatment of urinary system diseases (male and female) and the male reproductive system
radiation oncologist – prescribes/coordinates specialised radiation therapy
radiologist – interprets diagnostic scans
medical oncologist – prescribes/coordinates chemotherapy
cancer care coordinators – liaises with the multidisciplinary team to offer support for you (and your family) as you undergo treatment
cancer nurse – provides treatment support and information
continence care nurse/urology care coordinator – assists with bladder and bowel management before and after cancer treatment
sexual therapist – a qualified counsellor to help manage any sexual concerns and side-effects
other allied health professionals – may include social workers, pharmacists, and counsellors.
The bottom line
In Australia, we are lucky to have access to a range of free, quality healthcare options.
But if a service is not subsidised by the Medicare Benefits Schedule, you will have to pay the entire fee.
Since 1 November 2020, two new radical prostatectomy items (37213 and 37214) have been available on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). Item 37213 covers radical prostatectomy without lymphadenectomy, complicated by previous radiation treatment or focal therapy. The schedule fee is $2,464.65.
You can find more information about the Medicare benefits schedule here.
If you have private health insurance, it’s important to check in with your health fund to see what you are covered for when it comes to specialised treatment for prostate cancer and the flow-on effects of treatment. Even though you might assume that your health insurance will cover check-ups, the reality is that some of the cheaper health insurance providers may not give you the cover you need.
Go deeper: Private health cover for men in Australia explained
Financial disclaimer
The information contained on this web page is of general nature only and has been prepared without taking into consideration your objectives, needs and financial situation. You should check with a financial professional before making any decisions. Any opinions expressed within an article are those of the author and do not specifically reflect the views of Compare Club Australia Pty Ltd.
