Nearly 29,000 Australian men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2025, yet one Melbourne man had no idea he was among them until a simple blood test changed everything.<\/p>\n
At just 52, Greg Jacobs felt perfectly healthy and was doing what he did every year; visiting his GP for his annual health check.<\/p>\n
But a simple blood test uncovered an aggressive cancer lurking in his prostate – something that rattled him right to his core.<\/p>\n
Now, he is sharing his ordeal as a warning for men across the country, just as new testing guidelines are rolled out to boost early detection. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn my head, I felt like I was too young,\u201d the Melbourne community manager said of the sudden diagnosis.<\/p>\n
The aggressive cancer was found throughout most of Mr Jacobs\u2019 prostate, including high-grade areas rated four and five. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt kind of shakes you to your core when you get that news,\u201d Mr Jacobs said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got kids, I don\u2019t want to miss out on any of that sort of stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faced with treatment choices between surgery and radiotherapy, Mr Jacobs opted to have his prostate removed. <\/p>\n
An MRI initially showed nothing, but his specialist persisted and recommended a biopsy, given Mr Jacobs\u2019 father had been diagnosed with prostate cancer aged about 60.<\/p>\n
Following his procedure, he spent two days in hospital and had a catheter for two weeks, while specialised physiotherapy helped him recover from post-operative incontinence.<\/p>\n
Mr Jacobs said he had since returned to cycling, work and playing AFL nines with friends, although he continues to undergo regular PSA tests every three months. <\/p>\n
He spoke out as medical experts urged men to go and discuss their individual risk factors with their GP, rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.<\/p>\n
Prostate cancer remains one of Australia\u2019s most commonly diagnosed cancers, with nearly 29,000 men diagnosed with the disease in 2025. <\/p>\n
About 3975 men also died from prostate cancer in 2025, making up 13 per cent of all cancer deaths among Australian men. <\/p>\n
Despite the toll, the five-year survival rate remains high at 96 per cent, based on men diagnosed between 2017 and 2021.<\/p>\n
The revised national guidelines aim to improve early detection of clinically significant cancers while reducing unnecessary tests and invasive treatments for low-risk cases. <\/p>\n
Urological society of Australia and New Zealand vice-president Ashani Couchman said prostate cancer remained a massive men\u2019s health issue, with about one-in-five men at risk of being diagnosed by age 85. <\/p>\n
\u201cYounger men are being diagnosed with prostate cancer and younger men are at high risk of dying from prostate cancer,\u201d Dr Couchman said. <\/p>\n
She said the changes also sought to remove a major psychological barrier to early testing by removing the requirement for a digital rectal examination during initial GP visits. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe should probably try and remove that stigma of, \u2018I\u2019m going to get my prostate checked\u2019,\u201d Dr Couchman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have some really good ways, we can check that for you without impacting you in that way.<\/p>\n
\u201cGo talk about it with your GP.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Mr Jacobs, who once assumed his youth would protect him, the reality of the process turned out to be much simpler and less intimidating than expected. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just a blood test,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019d rather know now than later in the piece where it can really affect your time with your family.\u201d<\/p>\n