Mr Rocher asked the Minister for Health and Family Services, upon notice, on 20 May 1996:

(1) Is it a fact that (a) prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer among Australian men, (b) the lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer is 1 in 23 and (c) the incidence of prostate cancer is increasing.

(2) Was the need for screening measures referred to the Australian Health Technology Advisory Committee (AHTAC) for its consideration in May 1995; if so (a) was AHTAC expected to report its findings in late 1995 and (b) has AHTAC reported; if so when will its findings be released publicly; if not (i) why not and (ii) when will it report.

Dr Wooldridge —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1)(a) Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer among Australian men, after lung cancer. In 1994, 2,590 Australian men died of prostate cancer and it is estimated that there were 2,810 deaths in 1995.

(b) The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's report Cancer in Australia 1989-1990 (with projections to 1995) , which was released in April 1996, estimates the lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer as 1 in 18.

(c) The reported incidence of prostate cancer is rising. In 1990, the latest year for which national figures are available, 5,753 new cases of prostate cancer were reported. Where data are available for individual States, the reported incidence of prostate cancer has doubled over the last five years. The increase in reported incidence of prostate cancer is thought to be largely due to developments in prostate cancer detection methods in recent years, such as the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test.

(2) In April 1995, the Australian Health Technology Advisory Committee (AHTAC) was requested by the then Minister for Human Services and Health to review the evidence on the benefits, risks and costs of prostate cancer screening.

(a) It was originally expected that the review would be completed by the end of 1995. However, in order to produce a comprehensive review taking into account the latest available data, AHTAC required more time to complete its report. In producing its report, AHTAC has undertaken a comprehensive review of the scientific literature, current practice and the positions of medical professional bodies on prostate cancer screening; consulted widely inviting public submissions through the national press and by approaching interested organisations and individuals; examined social aspects and community attitudes; and incorporated the most recent available data on prostate cancer incidence and mortality in Australia.

(b) AHTAC reported in May 1996 and I am currently considering AHTAC's recommendations.