Prostate cancer treatment rates vary geographically across Australia

What is it about?

Men diagnosed with prostate cancer decide which treatment (or treatments) to undertake, with their doctors’ advice and guidance. These decisions are usually based on the stage of cancer, age, general health, access to treatment facilities and personal preferences about the risks and benefits of the treatments available. Often decisions are influenced by the experiences of friends or family. However, in many developed countries treatment decisions are related to the socioeconomic resources of the local community and whether the individual lives in an urban, rural or remote area. We studied the treatments for prostate cancer that required hospital admission; these were: radical prostatectomy, low dose rate brachytherapy and high dose rate brachytherapy. We analysed rates of treatment by small area (for example, by suburb) and found associations between remoteness of residence and area-level socioeconomic disadvantage. We also found that areas could be characterised as having higher rates of either radical prostatectomy, low dose rate brachytherapy or excess deaths. Most areas considered remote or among the most socioeconomically disadvantaged were characterised as having high excess prostate cancer death rates.

Featured Image

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Why is it important?

These results highlight important differences in treatment-related decisions based on geographical location. The findings reinforce the need to better understand the decision-making process regarding treatment and remove any barriers that may hinder equitable care irrespective of geography.

Perspectives