30 June 2022
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia has welcomed the Medicare listing of PSMA PET/CT scanning for men with prostate cancer from Friday July 1, in a move that will improve the standard of care for thousands of men with intermediate to high-risk forms of the disease.
PCFA’s Chairman, Adjunct Associate Professor Stephen Callister, said it was a giant step forward.
“Australia has one of the highest rates of prostate cancer in the world, with one in every six Australian men likely to be diagnosed by age 85. Over 18,000 men will be diagnosed with the disease this year and 3,323 will die. It’s a tragic toll that can be avoided if we can monitor the disease more closely to see whether it has spread.
“We commend the Government’s investment of $14.2 million over four years for a new (Medicare Benefits Schedule) MBS item to subsidise scans for men with intermediate to high-risk and recurrent prostate cancer.
“Known as PSMA PET/CT, prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography scans support patients by providing additional information to inform treatment, which can lead to improved outcomes. It is estimated that these new MBS inclusions will result in an additional 18,600 services each year, helping thousands of men access better treatment to improve their prognosis.
“PCFA advocated strongly for this listing and co-funded the game-changing ProPSMA study which informed the decision – we look forward to seeing this life-saving technology made available to all men who need it,” he said.
Clinical trials have found the scans to be superior to conventional imaging using CT and bone scans. PCFA’s CEO, Anne Savage, welcomed the listing.
“This is the dawn of a new day for men with high-risk prostate cancer in Australia. PSMA PET/CT scans are more accurate compared with conventional imaging, provide more definitive results, minimise the patient’s exposure to radiation, and allow clinicians to more effectively monitor and manage higher-risk prostate cancers.
“In essence, if we can see it, we can treat it, and we can improve our chances of beating it. This is a giant leap forward for thousands of Australian men with prostate cancer. We hope to see ongoing investment to further establish Australia as a world-leader in this field, for the benefit of Australian men and families.”
GenesisCare Group Clinical Director of Theranostics, Professor Nat Lenzo, said many patients would benefit.
“Medicare listing of PSMA-PET imaging is tremendous news for Australian men with prostate cancer and their families.
“I have witnessed first-hand how this new diagnostic tool can detect disease that may not appear in conventional imaging, and this funding will help facilitate equitable access, where until now patients in Australia would have been out of pocket.”
Patients can phone 1800 22 00 99, email enquiries@pcfa.org.au, or go to www.pcfa.org.au, for more information. Click here to read the Australian Government fact sheet on the new MBS Items for PSMA PET/CT scanning.
ENDS
PCFA Media contact:
Laura McKoy | M.0435 094 788
General Information and support:
PCFA | 1800 22 00 99 | www.pcfa.org.au
