Men's decision-making for prostate cancer

[Extract] In Australia prostate cancer causes 15% of the cancer burden in men. In 2010 it is estimated 16,800 men were diagnosed and 3,300 died of the disease (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2011). The risk on Australian men developing this cancer is 1 in 4 (up to age 85 years)(Australian Insititute of Health and Welfare. 2010). The symptoms of prostate cancer include urinary symptoms such as frequency, dysuria, haematuria, and poor urine stream, retention, dribbling and in advanced cases men can experience bone pain, fatigue and weight loss. Risk factors for the disease are men over 50 years of age, family history and ethnicity (Australian born men have a higher risk)(Cancer Council Australia 2012 ). It remains unknown what causes the disease, but recent research suggests one cause is viruses