If you’re here because you’ve heard the stat and felt a lump in your throat—yeah, this is the right place. And no, you’re not overreacting.
Whether you’re a man wondering if you should finally book that doctor’s appointment, or someone with a dad, husband, or mate who thinks he’s “too busy” to check in on his health, stick with this one.
Because the numbers are real. And the silence around them? Deafening.
A Stat That Should Be Front-Page News (But Isn’t)
Every year, about 4,000 men in New Zealand are diagnosed with prostate cancer. That’s 11 men every day.
Let that sink in.
According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand (PCFNZ), 1 in 8 Kiwi men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. And yet—despite being the country’s most diagnosed cancer—it rarely makes headlines. It’s not talked about in the same way as breast cancer, cervical cancer, or even bowel cancer.
Why? Because men don’t like talking about things below the belt. Especially when it involves doctors and gloves.
But that silence? It’s costing lives.
It’s Not Just An Old Man’s Problem
There’s a myth that prostate cancer only affects men in their 70s. Not true.
While risk increases with age, men as young as 40 or 50 have been diagnosed. And the earlier it hits, the more aggressive it can be.
If there’s a family history? That risk jumps even higher. If you’re Māori or Pasifika? You face higher mortality rates.
Why It’s So Dangerous
Prostate cancer is sneaky. Most men don’t get symptoms in the early stages. No pain. No warning. By the time you notice anything, it might’ve already spread.
That’s why early detection is everything.
But here’s the kicker: New Zealand doesn’t have a formal screening programme for prostate cancer. That means it’s up to men to ask for tests—and far too many don’t.
The Test That Could Save Your Life
There’s no single test that gives a perfect answer, but most early checks involve a PSA blood test. It measures a protein made by the prostate. Higher levels can indicate a problem—maybe cancer, maybe something else.
It’s not perfect. But it’s a damn good starting point.
And yes, sometimes it’s paired with a digital rectal exam (DRE). That’s the part everyone jokes about. But if five seconds of discomfort could give you 30 more years with your kids or grandkids… is it really that big a deal?
Why Aren’t Men Getting Checked?
Let’s be real:
- “I’m too busy.”
- “It won’t happen to me.”
- “I don’t want to know.”
- “I feel fine.”
Sound familiar?
There’s also the unspoken fear—about what a diagnosis means for masculinity, sex, and quality of life. Treatments can involve surgery, radiation, hormone therapy. Side effects include incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
But here’s the truth no one says loud enough:
You can’t treat a cancer you don’t know you have.
What the Experts Are Saying
New Zealand Doctor magazine has highlighted how underfunded and under-prioritized prostate cancer care is, despite the sheer volume of cases.
Public health experts are calling for a structured national screening approach, similar to breast and cervical screening. Because right now, the responsibility sits almost entirely on individuals.
And with men famously reluctant to go to the doctor? That’s a deadly gap.
How to Convince the Men You Love to Get Checked
This part’s for the partners, kids, siblings, and friends.
Convincing a man to see a doctor about something he’s not currently worried about is an art. But here are a few moves that actually work:
- Frame it as a normal check-up. Make it routine, not dramatic. “Just a blood test—it’s quick and you’re out in 10.”
- Use stories. If someone they know has been affected by prostate cancer, remind them of that. Real stories beat statistics.
- Appeal to ego—in a good way. “You’re the rock of this family. We want to keep it that way.”
- Offer to book it for them. Sometimes the hardest part is picking up the phone.
- Remind them what’s at stake. Their kids. Their partner. Their plans for retirement. This isn’t about fear—it’s about living longer and living well.
- If they joke about it, roll with it. Use humour to keep the conversation going—but don’t let it slide.
Most importantly? Keep asking. Gently. Repeatedly. Until they go.
So What Can You Do Right Now?
Whether you’re a man reading this or someone who loves one, here’s the move:
- Talk to your GP. If you’re over 50, ask for a PSA test. If you’re Māori, Pasifika, or have a family history, start even earlier—age 40 to 45.
- Normalize the chat. Ask your dad, your brother, your husband: “Have you had your prostate checked?” It might feel awkward. Do it anyway.
- Don’t wait for symptoms. Most early prostate cancers don’t have any.
- Support better policy. Raise awareness. Support petitions for a national screening programme.
No One’s Saying It’s Easy. But It Is Worth It.
We joke about men avoiding doctors like the plague. But this isn’t about man-flu or dodgy knees. This is about a cancer that takes around 700 Kiwi lives every year—many of which could’ve been saved with a simple test.
And to be blunt: if women had a 1 in 8 chance of getting a certain cancer, there’d be a billboard about it on every corner. Men deserve that kind of urgency too.
