The Prostate Screen Queensland Team

Prostate Screen Queensland - Our Mission

Prostate Screen Queensland provides a framework of information, resources, research and urological support to highly trained medical practitioners where the sole focus of the medical consultation relates to providing patients with information on prostate cancer screening and early detection.

Prostate Screen Queensland currently does not recommend mass population-based prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening as a public health policy, but offers health conscious men the opportunity for prostate cancer testing and early diagnosis, in a specialised primary care medical framework. Appropriate informed consent is obtained from men prior to proceeding with prostate cancer testing.

Prostate Cancer screening and testing is a complex subject and there is a vast amount of information which can be difficult to interpret by not only men and their families, but also general practitioners. Prostate cancer testing is already being performed by many well informed general practitioners around Australia. The mission of Prostate Screen Queensland is to streamline prostate cancer testing using stringent guidelines, make prostate cancer testing easy and accessible, educate men regarding prostate cancer testing and in the process collect world class data for research purposes. Prostate Screen Queensland will not take over the role of the patient's general practitioner (GP) but rather work closely with the patient's GP. Using world class clinical and research software, stringent protocols for follow up and subsequent testing will be adhered to.

How do we test for Prostate Cancer?

PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) testing via a blood test in combination with a DRE (Digital Rectal Examination) currently offers the best indication for the presence of prostate cancer and are currently the only tests recommended for prostate cancer screening and early detection.

Who should be tested for Prostate Cancer?

Early detection of prostate cancer is the key to improving survival and Prostate Screen Queensland recommends the following:

  1. All men from the age of 50 should have access to a yearly PSA and DRE
  2. All men who have a family history of prostate cancer should have access to a yearly PSA and DRE from the age of 40
  3. Health conscious men from the age of 40 should have access to a baseline PSA to quantify their lifetime risk of prostate cancer and guide the frequency of subsequent testing. If the risk of prostate cancer is significant then discussion regarding prostate cancer prevention with medical therapy can be undertaken

Prostate cancer testing with a PSA blood test and DRE is only undertaken after informed consent from highly trained medical practitioners regarding:

  • The controversy regarding prostate cancer screening and early detection
  • The pros and cons of early detection
  • The consequences of an abnormal screening result
  • The potential outcomes and treatments should prostate cancer be diagnosed

Once prostate cancer testing has been performed, the medical practitioner will then provide an estimate on the patient’s risk of having prostate cancer based on the patients PSA, DRE, age and family history.

Research and Data Collection

As Prostate Screen Queensland is the first clinic of its kind in Australia, this provides a unique research opportunity regarding prostate cancer screening and early detection. Prostate Screen Queensland is committed to research and all data regarding PSA values, DRE findings and outcomes will be recorded and analysed for research purposes. The privacy of patient’s information is of utmost importance and no information will be accessed without prior consent.

Learn more about Prostate Cancer Testing

Meet our team

Jan Higgins - Practice Manager at PSQ
Jan Higgins

Jan Higgins - Practice Manager

Jan will be your first point of contact, welcoming you to Prostate Screen Queensland.

Jan will arrange your appointment, liaise with specialist staff and ensure all necessary information regarding your appointment, is provided to you.

Leisa Anderson - Public Relations at PSQ
Leisa Andersen

Leisa Andersen - Public Relations

Leisa has assisted in the development of Prostate Screen Queensland and in particular, the website.

The Prostate Screen Queensland website provides comprehensive online reference, supporting the information provided to you by your Prostate Screen Queensland specialist. This information is vital in the shared decision making about Prostate Cancer screening and treatments.