Healthcare providers are constantly required to concoct new and unique ways of motivating men to prioritize their health, as many different methods can be used to convey the same message. New research has shown that the cost of living has posed an obstacle for Australians seeking routine medical examinations, making the need for different approaches even more critical. A particular concern is prostate cancer, as early detection is imperative for successful treatment. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has found that patients are becoming less likely to visit a doctor unless they are experiencing pain or discomfort, with fewer men aged between 45 to 64 years making a trip to the general practitioner.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners conducted a survey of over 2000 members, indicating that mental health issues, chronic illnesses, lifestyle advice, and COVID-19 are the most common reasons for seeking medical advice. However, only one percent of appointments are made to address cancer concerns. The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s chief executive, Anne Savage, expressed concern at these figures and urged all Australians to go for preventive check-ups. The foundation highlighted the importance of early detection, stating that a simple blood test can save lives. It is also noted that the survival rate of prostate cancers would drastically improve if they were diagnosed at an early stage, but at present, only 36 percent of cases in Australia are detected at stage one.
The content also revealed a statistic from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicating that seven percent of Australians who needed to see a general practitioner in 2022-23 either delayed or omitted doing so, as well as other similar figures for specialist and hospital visits. These shed further light on the growing concern regarding this topic.