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Information available from the New South Wales Cancer Registry (NSWCR) about the aggressiveness of prostate cancer is limited to the summary stage variable 'degree of spread', which contains a high proportion of cases defined as 'unknown'. In this study we demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining and analysing prostate cancer pathology data from stored pathology records. Pathology data were extracted from stored pathology records of incident prostate cancer cases in men participating in the 45 and Up Study, a large Australian prospective cohort study, who were diagnosed between January 2006 and December 2013. Baseline questionnaires from the 45 and Up Study were linked to the NSWCR. Demographic and pathology items were tabulated and associations described. We evaluated the completeness of pathological characteristics by degree of spread of cancer at diagnosis. Among the 123,921 men enrolled in the 45 and Up Study, 5,091 had incident prostate cancer and 5,085 were linked to a pathology record. The most complete variables included grade group of diagnostic (85.8%) and surgical (99.8%) specimens, margin status (98.1%), extraprostatic extension (95.1%) and seminal vesicle invasion (96.8%). Most diagnostic specimens were grade group 1 (26.6%) or 2 (23.5%). Of the 5,085 cases, 30.8% were classified by the NSWCR with unknown degree of spread; a pathology record could be extracted for 99.4% of these. The unknown degree of spread cases had similar levels of completeness and distribution of diagnostic and surgical pathology features to those with a localised degree of spread. This study demonstrated the feasibility of obtaining and analysing data derived from pathology reports from centralised state-based cancer registry notifications. Supplementing degree of spread information with pathology data from diagnosis and surgery will improve both the quality of research and policy aimed at improving the lives of men with prostate cancer., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: To examine changes in prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates, and 5-year relative survival, in relation to changes in the rate of prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening tests and the use of radical prostatectomy (RP) in the Australian population., Methods: Prostate cancer stage-specific incidence rates, 5-year relative survival and mortality rates were estimated using New South Wales Cancer Registry data. PSA screening test rates and RP/Incidence ratios were estimated from Medicare Benefits Schedule claims data. We used multiple imputation to impute stage for cases with "unknown" stage at diagnosis. Annual percentage changes (APC) in rates were estimated using Joinpoint regression., Results: Trends in the age-standardized incidence rates for localized disease largely mirrored the trends in PSA screening test rates, with a substantial 'spike' in the rates occurring in 1994, followed by a second 'spike' in 2008, and then a significant decrease from 2008 to 2015 (APC -6.7, 95% CI -8.2, -5.1). Increasing trends in incidence rates were observed for regional stage from the early 2000s, while decreasing or stable trends were observed for distant stage since 1993. The overall RP/Incidence ratio increased from 1998 to 2003 (APC 9.6, 95% CI 3.8, 15.6), then remained relatively stable to 2015. The overall 5-year relative survival for prostate cancer increased from 58.4% (95% CI: 55.0-61.7%) in 1981-1985 to 91.3% (95% CI: 90.5-92.1%) in 2011-2015. Prostate cancer mortality rates decreased from 1990 onwards (1990-2006: APC -1.7, 95% CI -2.1, -1.2; 2006-2017: APC -3.8, 95% CI -4.4, -3.1)., Conclusions: Overall, there was a decrease in the incidence rate of localized prostate cancer after 2008, an increase in survival over time and a decrease in the mortality rate since the 1990s. This seems to indicate that the more conservative use of PSA screening tests in clinical practice since 2008 has not had a negative impact on population-wide prostate cancer outcomes., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Population characteristics associated with the use of prostate biopsy are poorly understood. We described the use of diagnostic prostate biopsy and subsequent biopsy outcomes in a population-based Australian cohort., Methods: A total of 91,764 men from the Sax Institute's 45 and Up Study (New South Wales, Australia) recruited during 2006 to 2009 were included. Self-completed baseline questionnaires and linked administrative health data were used. Study period was from the date of recruitment to December 2013. Cox regression and logistic regression identified factors associated with receipt of biopsy and subsequent prostate cancer diagnosis., Results: During the study period, 5,089 participants had a diagnostic prostate biopsy, and 2,805 men (55.1% of those biopsied) received a cancer diagnosis. Men with a family history of prostate cancer (HR 1.55; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.43-1.68), severe lower urinary tract symptoms (HR 1.62; 95% CI, 1.41-1.86), or a record of medication for benign prostatic hyperplasia (HR 1.34; 95% CI, 1.23-1.47) had increased risks of receiving a biopsy. Men with a family history of prostate cancer had increased odds of a positive biopsy (OR 1.21; 95% CI, 1.01-1.43). High alcohol consumption (≥21 drinks per week compared with 1-6 drinks per week) was associated with decreased risk of biopsy (HR 0.88; 95% CI, 0.80-0.96) but increased odds of a positive biopsy (OR 1.63; 95% CI, 1.32-2.02)., Conclusions: Certain characteristics are associated with both undertaking diagnostic prostate biopsy and positive biopsy outcomes., Impact: This highlights the need to improve management of specific groups of men, especially those with clinical symptoms that overlap with prostate cancer, in their investigation for prostate cancer., (©2021 American Association for Cancer Research.)

Objectives: To describe patterns of care in New South Wales for men with prostate cancer, and to ascertain factors associated with receiving different types of treatment., Design: Individual patient data record linkage study., Setting, Participants: 4003 New South Wales men aged 45 years or more enrolled in the population-based 45 and Up Study in whom prostate cancer was first diagnosed during 2006-2013., Main Outcome Measures: Prostate cancer treatment type received; factors statistically associated with treatment received; proportions of patients who consulted radiation oncologists prior to treatment., Results: In total, 1619 of 4003 patients underwent radical prostatectomy (40%), 893 external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) (22%), 183 brachytherapy (5%), 87 chemotherapy (2%), 373 androgen deprivation therapy alone (9%), and 848 no active treatment (21%). 205 of 1628 patients who had radical prostatectomies (13%) had radiation oncology consultations prior to surgery. Radical prostatectomy was more likely for patients aged 45-59 years, with regional stage disease, living 100 km or more from the nearest radiotherapy centre, having partners, or having private health insurance, while lower physical functioning, obesity, and living in areas of greater socio-economic disadvantage reduced the likelihood. EBRT was more likely for patients aged 70-79 years, with non-localised or unknown stage disease, living less than 100 km from the nearest radiotherapy centre, or not having private health insurance, while the likelihood was lower for patients aged 45-59 years or more than 80 years and for those who had several comorbid conditions., Conclusions: Men with prostate cancer were twice as likely to have radical prostatectomy as to receive EBRT, and fewer than one in seven had consulted radiation oncologists prior to prostatectomy. The treatment received was influenced by several socio-demographic factors. Given the treatment-specific side effects and costs, policies that affect access to different treatments for prostate cancer should be reviewed., (© 2021 AMPCo Pty Ltd.)

Purpose: To determine the prevalence, severity, and baseline associations of self-reported long-term unmet supportive care needs in a population-wide cohort of men with prostate cancer (PC), 15 years post-diagnosis., Methods: Participants were drawn from the New South Wales (NSW) Prostate Cancer Care and Outcomes Study. Eligible men were diagnosed with PC between 2000 and 2002, aged less than 70 years at diagnosis, and completed a 15-year follow-up survey. Demographic and clinical data were collected at baseline. The validated Cancer Survivors' Unmet Needs (CaSUN) Survey was administered to assess unmet needs., Results: Of 578 eligible men, 351 completed CaSUN. Mean age was 75.8 (range 59-84) with a mean follow-up time of 15.2 years post-diagnosis. Over a third of men (37.4%) reported at least one unmet need at 15 years. Most frequently reported unmet needs pertained to the comprehensive cancer care (34.1%) domain. 87.2% of participants who reported problems with sexual function reported this need as moderate/severe. Higher diagnostic prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels (20+ ng/mL) at diagnosis were associated with future unmet needs (PSA 20+: OR = 4.80, 95% CI [1.33-17.35])., Conclusion: Many PC survivors continue to report unmet needs 15 years post-diagnosis. There is a pressing need for clinicians to work together to coordinate PC care, and to proactively, regularly, and openly enquire about men's sexual adjustment to PC. The needs of PC survivors could better be met with more coordinated approaches to multidisciplinary care and timely interventions and support for chronic sexual dysfunction.

Background: An elevated risk of suicide after a diagnosis of prostate cancer has been reported previously in the USA and Sweden. We aimed to identify whether prostate cancer survivors resident in New South Wales Australia are at higher risk of suicide and if so, who is most at risk., Methods: Data were obtained from the New South Wales (NSW) Cancer Registry for all men diagnosed with prostate cancer in NSW during 1997 to 2007. These were linked by the Centre for Health Record Linkage (CHeReL) to Australian Bureau of Statistics Mortality Data to the end of 2007 to determine vital status and cause of death. We compared the number of suicides observed for prostate cancer survivors with the expected number of suicides based on age- and calendar year- specific rates for the NSW male population using standardised mortality ratios (SMRs). Suicide rate ratios (RR) by disease and patients' characteristics were estimated using multivariable negative binomial regression to determine the most at risk groups., Results: During the study period 51,924 NSW men were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Forty nine of these men were subsequently recorded as committing suicide up to 10 years after diagnosis with an SMR of 1.70 (95% CI:1.26-2.25). Twenty six (53%) of these suicides occurred within 12 months after diagnosis. Risk diminished over time since diagnosis (RR in 1-2 years after diagnosis = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.12-0.71, 2-4 years RR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.14-0.16 and 4+ years RR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.11-0.60 compared with <1 year since diagnosis). Men with non-localised disease had a higher risk of suicide compared to men with localised disease (RR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.15-6.23). Men living outside major cities had lower risk of suicide compared to those resident in major cities (rate ratio = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.20-0.87). Single, divorced, widowed or separated men were more likely to commit suicide than married men (RR = 4.18, 95% CI: 2.36-7.42)., Conclusion: Risk of suicide is higher for NSW men diagnosed with prostate cancer than the general age matched male population. Vulnerable or lonely men and those with pre-existing depression or suicidal ideation who are diagnosed with prostate cancer should be offered additional psychological support., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Emerging evidence suggests that a diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma (CM) may be associated with prostate cancer (PC) incidence. We examined if the incidence of CM was associated with an increased subsequent risk of PC. We used data from the New South Wales Cancer Registry for all CM and PC cases diagnosed between January 1972 and December 2008. We calculated the age standardized incidence ratio (SIR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for PC incidence following a CM diagnosis, applying age- and calendar- specific rates to the appropriate person years at risk. We determined rate ratio (RR) and 95% CI of PC incidence according to specified socio-demographic categories and disease related characteristics, using a negative binomial model. There were 143,594 men diagnosed with PC or CM in the study period and of these 101,198 and 42,396 were diagnosed with PC and CM, respectively, as first primary cancers. Risk of PC incidence increased following CM diagnosis (n = 2,114; SIR = 1.25; 95% CI:1.20.8-1.31: p < 0.0001), with the increased risk apparent in men diagnosed with localised CM (n = 1,862;SIR = 1.26; 95% CI:1.20-1.32). CM diagnosis increased the subsequent risk of PC incidence. This raises the potential for future PC risk to be discussed with newly diagnosed males with CM.

Background: This study assessed whether a theoretically conceptualised tailored intervention centred on multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) increased clinician referral behaviours in line with clinical practice guideline recommendations., Methods: Nine hospital Sites in New South Wales (NSW), Australia with a urological MDT and involvement in a state-wide urological clinical network participated in this pragmatic stepped wedge, cluster randomised implementation trial. Intervention strategies included flagging of high-risk patients by pathologists, clinical leadership, education, and audit and feedback of individuals' and study Sites' practices. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients referred to radiation oncology within 4 months after prostatectomy. Secondary outcomes were proportion of patients discussed at a MDT meeting within 4 months after surgery; proportion of patients who consulted a radiation oncologist within 6 months; and the proportion who commenced radiotherapy within 6 months. Urologists' attitudes towards adjuvant radiotherapy were surveyed pre- and post-intervention. A process evaluation measured intervention fidelity, response to intervention components and contextual factors that impacted on implementation and sustainability., Results: Records for 1071 high-risk post-RP patients operated on by 37 urologists were reviewed: 505 control-phase; and 407 intervention-phase. The proportion of patients discussed at a MDT meeting increased from 17% in the control-phase to 59% in the intervention-phase (adjusted RR = 4.32; 95% CI [2.40 to 7.75]; p < 0·001). After adjustment, there was no significant difference in referral to radiation oncology (intervention 32% vs control 30%; adjusted RR = 1.06; 95% CI [0.74 to 1.51]; p = 0.879). Sites with the largest relative increases in the percentage of patients discussed also tended to have greater increases in referral (p = 0·001). In the intervention phase, urologists failed to provide referrals to more than half of patients whom the MDT had recommended for referral (78 of 140; 56%)., Conclusions: The intervention resulted in significantly more patients being discussed by a MDT. However, the recommendations from MDTs were not uniformly recorded or followed. Although practice varied markedly between MDTs, the intervention did not result in a significant overall change in referral rates, probably reflecting a lack of change in urologists' attitudes. Our results suggest that interventions focused on structures and processes that enable health system-level change, rather than those focused on individual-level change, are likely to have the greatest effect., Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12611001251910 ). Registered 6 December 2011.

Australia has one of the highest incidence rates of prostate cancer (PC) worldwide, due in part to widespread prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing. We aimed to identify factors associated with PSA testing in Australian men without a diagnosis of prostate cancer or prior prostate disease. Participants were men joining the 45 and Up Study in 2006-2009, aged ≥45 years at recruitment. Self-completed questionnaires were linked to cancer registrations, hospitalisations, health services data and deaths. Men with a history of PC, radical prostatectomy or a "monitoring" PSA test for prostate disease were excluded. We identified Medicare reimbursed PSA tests during 2012-2014. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (OR) for the association between having PSA tests and factors of interest. Of the 62,765 eligible men, 51.8% had at least one screening PSA test during 2012-2014. Factors strongly associated with having a PSA test included having 27+ general practitioner consultations (versus 3-9 consultations; OR = 2.00; 95%CI = 1.90-2.11), benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment (versus none; OR = 1.59(95%CI = 1.49-1.70), aged 60-69 years (versus 50-59 years; OR = 1.54; 95%CI = 1.48-1.60). These results emphasise the important role of primary care in decision making about PSA testing.

Objective: To determine the contemporary survival outcomes from a whole population and identify significant predictors of survival, as contemporary population-based survival outcomes after radical cystectomy (RC) for the treatment of bladder cancer (BC) are sparse. Reports suggest a large disparity between population outcomes and those of centres of excellence., Patients and Methods: All invasive BC cases diagnosed between 2001 and 2007 in New South Wales, Australia, were identified from the Central Cancer Registry. Records of treatment and death were electronically linked. All patients who underwent RC between 2001 and 2009 were selected for this study (804 patients). Follow-up was to the end of 2009. Outcomes assessed were disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS). Multivariable Cox regression and log-rank analysis were used to model and compare survival within groups., Results: Of 804 patients diagnosed during the study period 420 (52.2%) died during follow-up. The 5-year DSS and OS for all patients was 59.6% and 53.2%, respectively. The 5-year DSS for patients with localised, regional and distant disease, undergoing RC was 72%, 51% and 10%, respectively. Age (P < 0.001) and stage (P < 0.001) were associated with 5-year DSS and OS after adjusting for all other variables. High-volume centres had significantly better 5-year DSS compared with low-volume centres (P < 0.05). The 30-day mortality for high- vs low-volume centres was 1.8% and 3.6%, respectively. Perioperative mortality improved over time for high- and moderate-volume centres but not for low-volume centres., Conclusion: Contemporary survival outcomes after RC are much improved compared with older studies and appear close to results from academic centres of excellence. High-volume centres report better 5-year DSS outcomes than lower volume centres., (© 2015 The Authors BJU International © 2015 BJU International Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Although men are diagnosed with bladder cancer (BC) with a rate three times higher than women, women experience poorer survival. The cause of this gender difference is not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the discrepancy in survival from BC by gender and explore potential explanations for the difference using a population-wide linkage study. Using the New South Wales (NSW) Central Cancer Registry, all invasive BC cases diagnosed between 2001 and 2009 were identified. Records were linked to the NSW Admitted Patient Data Collection (APDC), to retrieve treatment details, and to the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages and Australian Bureau of Statistics to obtain death details. A total of 5377 new cases of BC were identified. No differences were identified in the proportions of patients presenting at different stages between genders. However, disease-specific survival (DSS) was worse for females compared to males with localized and regional disease (P < 0.05). This difference was only apparent in individuals aged ≥ 70 years and no difference was identified in those younger. Multivariable Cox-regression analysis of the cohort of individuals aged ≥ 70 years revealed that stage, age, comorbidity, and sex remained independent variables (P < 0.05) predicting DSS. In a population wide analysis, females aged 70 years or more suffer worse DSS compared to males. The differences are not accounted for by stage at presentation or comorbidity and are independent of age. BC in postmenopausal females may be biologically more aggressive., (© 2015 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To compare prostate cancer mortality for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal men and to describe prostate cancer treatments received by Aboriginal men., Patients and Methods: We analysed cancer registry records for all men diagnosed with prostate cancer in New South Wales (NSW) in 2001-2007 linked to hospital inpatient episodes and deaths. More detailed information on androgen-deprivation therapy and radiotherapy was obtained from medical records for 87 NSW Aboriginal men diagnosed in 2000-2011. The main outcomes were primary treatment for, and death from, prostate cancer. Analysis included Cox proportional hazards regression and logistic regression., Results: There were 259 Aboriginal men among 35,214 prostate cancer cases diagnosed in 2001-2007. Age and spread of disease at diagnosis were similar for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal men. Prostate cancer mortality 5 years after diagnosis was higher for Aboriginal men (17.5%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 12.4-23.3) than non-Aboriginal men (11.4%, 95% CI 11.0-11.8). Aboriginal men were 49% more likely to die from prostate cancer (hazard ratio 1.49, 95% CI 1.07-1.99) after adjusting for differences in demographic factors, stage at diagnosis, health access and comorbidities. Aboriginal men were less likely to have a prostatectomy for localised or regional cancer than non-Aboriginal men (adjusted odds ratio 0.60, 95% CI 0.40-0.91). Of 87 Aboriginal men with full staging and treatment information, 60% were diagnosed with localised disease. Of these, 38% had a prostatectomy (± radiotherapy), 29% had radiotherapy only and 33% had neither., Conclusion: More research is required to explain differences in treatment and mortality for Aboriginal men with prostate cancer compared with non-Aboriginal men. In the meantime, ongoing monitoring and efforts are needed to ensure Aboriginal men have equitable access to best care., (© 2014 The Authors. BJU International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of BJU International.)

Background: Information on the current and future numbers of Australian men living with prostate cancer is limited. We describe a method for estimating complete prevalence of prostate cancer to provide a measure of the burden of prostate cancer in Australia., Methods: Prostate cancer data from the New South Wales (NSW) Central Cancer Registry were used with PIAMOD (Prevalence and Incidence Analysis MODel) software to estimate future prostate cancer prevalence in NSW. We first fitted parametric incidence and survival models then used the modelled incidence and survival estimates to calculate complete prevalence. The estimated and projected prevalence incorporate past observed trends and take into account different assumptions about future survival trends. These models were validated against observed prevalence from the counting method., Results: Based on data for 1996-2007, the number of men living with prostate cancer in NSW was estimated to rise by 59% to 73%, from 38,322 in 2007 to 60,910-66,160 in 2017. The increasing incidence rates and the ageing population were the major contributors to this estimated increase. Validation suggested that these projections were reasonable, as the estimated prevalence in 1996-2007 was in good agreement with the corresponding prevalence calculated using the direct counting method, and the incidence models were supported by the recent data on prostate-specific antigen testing., Conclusions: As the number of men living with prostate cancer is expected to increase dramatically in the next decade in Australia, representing a significant challenge to the health system, careful planning and development of a healthcare system able to respond to this increased demand is required. These projections are useful for addressing the challenge in meeting the cancer care needs of men with prostate cancer., (Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: We aim to determine the relationship between season, personal solar UV exposure, serum 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels., Methods: Questionnaire data and blood samples were collected at baseline from participants of the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project (n = 1,705), aged 70 and above. They were grouped as men 'free of prostate disease' for those with no record of having prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or prostatitis and with serum PSA levels below 20 ng/mL, and 'with prostate disease' for those with a record of either of these diseases or with serum PSA levels 20 ng/mL or above. Personal solar UV exposure (sUV) was estimated from recalled hours of outdoor exposure and weighted against ambient solar UV radiation. Sera were analysed to determine levels of PSA, 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D, and analysed using multiple regression, adjusting for age, BMI and region of birth., Results: The association between sUV and serum PSA levels was conditional upon season (p interaction = 0.04). There was no direct association between serum PSA and 25(OH)D in both groups of men. There was a positive association between serum PSA and 1,25(OH)2D in men with prostate disease (mean = 110.6 pmol/L; p heterogeneity = 0.03), but there was no such association in men free of prostate disease (mean = 109.3 pmol/L; p heterogeneity = 0.8)., Conclusion: The association between PSA and sUV may only be evident at low solar UV irradiance, and this effect may be independent of serum vitamin D levels.

Objectives: To determine whether the previously reported urban-rural differential in prostate cancer survival remains after adjusting for demographic and clinical factors, and to investigate temporal trends in this differential., Design, Setting and Participants: Retrospective population-based survival analysis of 68 686 men diagnosed with prostate cancer from January 1982 to December 2007 in New South Wales., Main Outcome Measures: Survival rate and relative excess risk (RER) of death over 10 years of follow-up in relation to geographic remoteness after adjusting for other prognostic factors., Results: Overall, 10-year survival increased during the study period, increasing from 57.5% in 1992-1996 and 75.7% in 1997-2001 to 83.7% in 2002-2007. The increasing trends were also observed across categories of geographic remoteness and socioeconomic status. Urban-rural differentials were significant (P < 0.001) after adjusting for five important prognostic factors, with men living outside major cities having higher risk of death from prostate cancer (RER, 1.18 and 1.32 for inner regional and rural areas, respectively). Socioeconomic status was also a significant factor (P < 0.001) for prostate cancer mortality, with the risk of dying being 34% to 40% higher for men living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas than those living in least disadvantaged areas. There was no evidence that this inequality is reducing over time, particularly for men living in inner regional areas., Conclusions: Despite the increasing awareness of urban-rural differentials in cancer outcomes, little progress has been made. Appropriately detailed data, including details of tumour characteristics, treatment and comorbid conditions, to help understand why these inequalities exist are required urgently so interventions and policy changes can be guided by appropriate evidence.

Background: Clinical practice guidelines have been widely developed and disseminated with the aim of improving healthcare processes and patient outcomes but the uptake of evidence-based practice remains haphazard. There is a need to develop effective implementation methods to achieve large-scale adoption of proven innovations and recommended care. Clinical networks are increasingly being viewed as a vehicle through which evidence-based care can be embedded into healthcare systems using a collegial approach to agree on and implement a range of strategies within hospitals. In Australia, the provision of evidence-based care for men with prostate cancer has been identified as a high priority. Clinical audits have shown that fewer than 10% of patients in New South Wales (NSW) Australia at high risk of recurrence after radical prostatectomy receive guideline recommended radiation treatment following surgery. This trial will test a clinical network-based intervention to improve uptake of guideline recommended care for men with high-risk prostate cancer., Methods/design: In Phase I, a phased randomised cluster trial will test a multifaceted intervention that harnesses the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) Urology Clinical Network to increase evidence-based care for men with high-risk prostate cancer following surgery. The intervention will be introduced in nine NSW hospitals over 10 months using a stepped wedge design. Outcome data (referral to radiation oncology for discussion of adjuvant radiotherapy in line with guideline recommended care or referral to a clinical trial of adjuvant versus salvage radiotherapy) will be collected through review of patient medical records. In Phase II, mixed methods will be used to identify mechanisms of provider and organisational change. Clinicians' knowledge and attitudes will be assessed through surveys. Process outcome measures will be assessed through document review. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted to elucidate mechanisms of change., Discussion: The study will be one of the first randomised controlled trials to test the effectiveness of clinical networks to lead changes in clinical practice in hospitals treating patients with high-risk cancer. It will additionally provide direction regarding implementation strategies that can be effectively employed to encourage widespread adoption of clinical practice guidelines., Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12611001251910.

Background: The New South Wales Central Cancer Registry (NSW CCR) is the only population-based cancer registry in Australia that has routinely collected summary stage at diagnosis since its inception in 1972. However, a large proportion of prostate cancer cases have "unknown" stage recorded by the registry. We investigated the characteristics of prostate cancer cases with "unknown" stage recorded by the NSW CCR, and examined survival for this group., Methods: Data were obtained from the NSW CCR for all first primary prostate cancer cases diagnosed in 1999-2007. Summary stage was recorded as localised, regional, distant or "unknown". Associations between disease stage and patient characteristics (age, place of residence at diagnosis, year of diagnosis and country of birth) and prostate cancer specific survival were investigated using multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models respectively., Results: Of 39852 prostate cancer cases, 41.8% had "unknown" stage recorded by the NSW CCR. This proportion decreased significantly over time, increased with increasing age at diagnosis and was higher for those living in socio-economically disadvantaged areas. The proportion with "unknown" stage varied across area health services. Prostate cancer specific survival for cases with "unknown" stage was significantly poorer than for those with localised stage but better than for those with regional or distant stage., Conclusions: Researchers or others using cancer registry stage data to examine prostate cancer outcomes need to consider the differences between cases with "unknown" stage at diagnosis and those with known stage recorded by the registry, and what impact this may have on their results., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Positive associations between sun exposure and cancer survival have been observed in regions of high latitudes, where ambient solar ultraviolet (SUV) radiation is generally low., Purpose: We examined the effects of ambient ultraviolet-B radiation (UVB) at time of diagnosis, season of diagnosis and latitude of residence on survival outcome from prostate cancer., Method: Regression models for relative survival were used to estimate relative excess risks (RER) of death after diagnosis of prostate cancer from cancer registries in Eastern Australia (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania)., Results: Relative excess risks was increased with diagnosis in summer (RER = 1.20; 95 % CI 1.14-1.26) relative to winter, high ambient UVB at the time of diagnosis (>60 mW/m(2); RER = 1.10; 95 % CI 1.05-1.15) relative to low SUV (<30 mW/m(2)), and with residence in high latitudes (35°S-43°S; RER = 1.20; 95 % CI 1.14-1.26) relative to low latitudes (9°S-29.9°S). RER was highest for summer diagnosis in all three latitude bands, after adjusting for age, follow-up period, and socioeconomic status., Conclusion: The contradictory outcome from season and latitude suggests that their use as surrogates for UV warrants validation. Our data suggest that high ambient solar ultraviolet radiation at the time of diagnosis of prostate cancer increases the risk of dying from this cancer.

Objectives: To quantify relationships between erectile dysfunction (ED), ageing and health and lifestyle factors for men aged 45 years and older., Design: Cross-sectional, population-based study seeking data on health, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors by questionnaire (the 45 and Up Study)., Participants and Setting: 108 477 men aged 45 years or older, living in New South Wales, and recruited into the 45 and Up Study between 10 January 2006 and 17 February 2010., Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported ED., Results: In the 101 674 men reporting no prior diagnosis of prostate cancer, 39.31% (95% CI, 39.01%-39.61%) had no ED, 25.14% (95% CI, 24.87%-25.40%) had mild ED (ie, experienced ED sometimes), 18.79% (95% CI, 18.55%-19.03%) had moderate (ie, usually experienced) ED and 16.77% (95% CI, 16.55%-17.00%) had complete ED. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, the odds of moderate/complete ED increased by 11.30% (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.11-1.12) each year from the age of 45 years. Overall, the risk of moderate/complete ED was higher among men with low socioeconomic status, high body mass index, those who were sedentary, current smokers and those with diseases including diabetes, heart disease, and depression/anxiety, compared with men without these risk factors. Moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a significantly reduced risk of ED in men aged 45-54 years, but not in older men. Almost all men aged 75 or older reported moderate/severe ED; however, increased physical activity was associated with a lower odds of ED in this group., Conclusions: In a large population-based cross-sectional study, ED increased considerably with age. There are a range of potentially modifiable risk factors for ED, including smoking, low physical activity, and high body mass index.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight may influence risk of prostate cancer. In New South Wales (NSW), Australia, we examined the relationship between sun exposure at 30 and 50 years of age and risk of prostate cancer in a case-control study combining the NSW prostate cancer care and outcome study (cases) and the NSW non-Hodgkin's lymphoma study (controls). Prostate cancer risk increased with increasing estimated sun exposure (adjusted OR for highest vs. lowest quartiles of average weekly sun exposure in the warmer months 2.07 95% CI: 1.36-3.15) and this increase was most evident with weekend sun exposure (adjusted OR=5.55, 95% CI: 2.94-10.48). High sun sensitivity was also positively associated with risk for prostate cancer (adjusted OR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.09-2.44). The apparent effects of weekly sun exposure did not vary by disease aggressiveness. Our results suggest that increasing sun exposure in mid-adult years increases prostate cancer risk in a high ambient solar UV environment. Given that previous studies, conducted mainly in low solar UV environments, have generally found evidence of a negative association, our findings suggest there may be a U-shaped relationship between solar UV exposure and prostate cancer. Further studies are needed to test the hypothesis that high solar UV exposure is a risk factor for prostate cancer and to explore possible mechanisms for such an association., (Copyright © 2011 UICC.)

Objective: To describe values of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in older men without diagnosed prostate cancer, categorised by age and country of birth, and to describe self-reported prostate cancer screening., Design, Participants and Setting: A cohort study (the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project) involving a representative sample of 1434 eligible community-dwelling men with no diagnosis of prostate cancer who were aged 70 years and over and living in a defined geographic area in Sydney, with baseline data collected between 28 January 2005 and 4 June 2007., Main Outcome Measures: Serum PSA levels and self-reported prostate cancer screening., Results: 11% of men (155) had a PSA level of ≥6.5 ng/mL, increasing from 7.5% of men aged 70-74 years to 31.4% of men aged≥90 years. PSA levels varied with ethnicity, with Australian-born men (695) having the highest levels (median, 2.3 ng/mL; 5th-95th percentile, 0.4-10.1 ng/mL), followed by men born in China (n=42; 2.1 ng/mL; 0.4-12.4 ng/mL), United Kingdom and Ireland (n=70; 1.9 ng/mL; 0.3-8.9 ng/mL), Greece (n=59; 1.5 ng/mL; 0.2-6.1 ng/mL), and Italy (n=293; 1.4 ng/mL; 0.3-7.2 ng/mL). A PSA test in the previous 2 years was reported by 48% of participants, and a digital rectal examination (DRE) in the previous 2 years by 37%., Conclusions: A significant number of men aged over 70 years reported recent prostate cancer tests. The PSA level ranges reported in this cohort will help with interpreting serum PSA level findings in men aged over 70 years.

Background: Population-based patterns of care studies are important for monitoring cancer care but conducting them is expensive and resource-intensive. Linkage of routinely collected administrative health data may provide an efficient alternative. Our aim was to determine the accuracy of linked routinely collected administrative data for monitoring prostate cancer care in New South Wales (NSW), Australia., Methods: The NSW Prostate Cancer Care and Outcomes Study (PCOS), a population-based survey of patterns of care for men aged less than 70 years diagnosed with prostate cancer in NSW, was linked to the NSW Cancer Registry, electronic hospital discharge records and Medicare and Pharmaceutical claims data from Medicare Australia. The main outcome measures were treatment with radical prostatectomy, any radiotherapy, external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy or androgen deprivation therapy, and cancer staging. PCOS data were considered to represent the true treatment status. The sensitivity and specificity of the administrative data were estimated and relevant patient characteristics were compared using chi-squared tests., Results: The validation data set comprised 1857 PCOS patients with treatment information linked to Cancer Registry records. Hospital and Medicare claims data combined described treatment more accurately than either one alone. The combined data accurately recorded radical prostatectomy (96% sensitivity) and brachytherapy (93% sensitivity), but not androgen deprivation therapy (76% sensitivity). External beam radiotherapy was rarely captured (5% sensitivity), but this was improved by including Medicare claims for radiation field setting or dosimetry (86% sensitivity). False positive rates were near 0%. Disease stage comparisons were limited by one-third of cases having unknown stage in the Cancer Registry. Administrative data recorded treatment more accurately for cases in urban areas., Conclusions: Cancer Registry and hospital inpatient data accurately captured radical prostatectomy and brachytherapy treatment, but not external beam radiotherapy or disease stage. Medicare claims data substantially improved the accuracy with which all major treatments were recorded. These administrative data combined are valid for population-based studies of some aspects of prostate cancer care.

Background: In the summer of 2004-2005, The Cancer Council NSW conducted a skin cancer early detection campaign encouraging people aged over 50 years to check their own skin and see a doctor as soon as possible if they noticed any suspicious or changing spots., Method: Self administered questionnaires were posted to 1136 general practitioners in New South Wales to seek information on the impact of the campaign and their interest in further training., Results: The questionnaire was completed by 311 GPs (27%). General practitioners reported increased activity in skin cancer detection, however these increases were higher in the younger patient age groups. More than two-thirds of practitioners, especially those from skin cancer clinics, expressed interest in further training., Discussion: Respondents found the campaign resources useful. General practitioners reported greater increases in the number of younger people requesting skin cancer checks compared to the targeted group of people aged over 50 years. The survey shows a clear trend of GPs aged 60 years and over reporting higher levels of attendance of skin cancer patients among older age groups.

Purpose: It is important to meet the supportive care needs of cancer patients to ensure their satisfaction with their care. A population-wide sample of men younger than 70 years and newly diagnosed with prostate cancer was surveyed to determine their unmet needs in five domains and the factors predicting them., Patients and Methods: Eligible men were younger than 70 years and residents in New South Wales, Australia, with newly diagnosed histopathologically confirmed prostate cancer. Sixty-seven percent of eligible men diagnosed between October 2000 and October 2001 participated. Demographic, treatment, and self-reported health data were collected. Information on cancer stage, grade, and prostate-specific antigen was obtained from medical records. Logistic regression analyses determined patient and treatment variables that predicted higher unmet needs., Results: More than half (54%) of men with prostate cancer expressed some level of unmet psychological need, and 47% expressed unmet sexuality needs. Nearly one fourth expressed a moderate or high level of unmet need with respect to changes in sexuality. Sexuality needs were independently predicted by being younger, having had a secondary school education only, having had surgery, and being married, living as married, or divorced. Uncertainty about the future was also an important area of unmet need., Conclusion: Attention should be given to sexual and psychological needs in the early months after diagnosis or treatment of prostate cancer, particularly in younger men, those with less education, and those having surgery. Research into better ways of meeting these needs will enable us to meet them with as much rigor as we meet clinical treatment needs.

Objective: To improve estimation of regional variation in cancer survival and identify cancers to which priority might be given to increase survival., Methods: Survival measures were calculated for 25 major cancer types diagnosed in each of 17 health service regions in New South Wales, Australia, from 1991 to 1998. Region-specific risks of excess death due to cancer were estimated adjusting for age, sex, and extent of disease at, and years since, diagnosis. Empirical Bayes (EB) methods were used to shrink the estimates. The additional numbers of patients who would survive beyond five years were estimated by shifting the State average risk to the 20th centile., Results: Statistically significant regional variation in the shrunken estimates of risk of excess death was found for nine of the 25 cancer types. The lives of 2903 people (6.4%) out of the 45,047 whose deaths within 5 years were attributable to cancer could be extended with the highest number being for lung cancer (791)., Conclusions: The EB approach gives more precise estimates of region-specific risk of excess death and is preferable to standard methods for identifying cancer sites where gains in survival might be made. The estimated number of lives that could be extended can assist health authorities in prioritising investigation of and attention to causes of regional variation in survival., (Copyright 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers)

Objective: To analyse cancer survival in New South Wales by geographic remoteness., Design, Setting and Participants: A survival analysis of all patients with cancers diagnosed in NSW between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 1996. Survival was determined to 31 December 1999., Main Outcome Measures: The relative excess risk (RER) of death over 5 years was estimated for each geographic remoteness category relative to the highly accessible category for 20 cancer types adjusted for age, sex, years since diagnosis and, subsequently, stage of cancer at diagnosis., Results: There were statistically significant differences in the RER of death across remoteness categories (P < 0.001) for cancers of the cervix and prostate and for all cancers. The RERs for the most remote categories (compared with the highly accessible category) before and after adjustment for stage were cervix, 3.22 (95% CI, 1.54-6.75) and 2.25 (95% CI, 1.06-4.77); prostate, 3.38 (95% CI, 2.21-5.16) and 2.53 (95% CI, 1.60-4.01); all cancers, 1.35 (95% CI, 1.20-1.51) and 1.25 (95% CI, 1.11-1.41). In addition, there were significant variations in RER of death by remoteness for head and neck, lung and colon cancers and cutaneous melanoma., Conclusion: Cancer survival varies by remoteness of residence in NSW for all cancers together and some cancers individually. Access to screening or early diagnosis probably contributes to this variation, but persistence after adjustment for stage suggests that treatment variation is also important.

Objective: To describe patterns and trends in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing in Australia and assess its role in the increasing incidence of prostate cancer., Design: Descriptive analysis of (i) Medicare records of PSA testing in Australia, and (ii) prostate cancer recorded incidence in New South Wales., Data: (i) Medicare data for all males who received a Medicare-reimbursed PSA test between August 1989 and December 1996. (ii) NSW Central Cancer Registry data for all males in NSW with prostate cancer diagnosed between 1988 and 1995., Main Outcome Measures: (i) Number of PSA tests, age-standardised rates of PSA tests by State and Territory, and proportions of males who had a PSA test. (ii) Recorded incidence of prostate cancer in NSW., Results: (i) More than 2.2 million PSA tests were done on more than 1.1 million Australians between 1989 and 1996. The annual number of males tested increased fivefold in this period and peaked in 1995. Twenty-seven per cent of Australian men aged 50 years or over had at least one PSA test in 1995 or 1996; 33% of men aged 60-69 years had a test in this period. (ii) In NSW the number of PSA tests per quarter was highly correlated with the number of new cases of prostate cancer (R2 = 0.92)., Conclusions: Although no organised program for prostate cancer screening exists, and despite repeated advice against it, opportunistic screening has been occurring at high rates. There was a high correlation between PSA testing and prostate cancer incidence between 1990 and 1995 in NSW.