Members of the Hellenic Medical Society of Australia (HMSA) met recently for an educational dinner event on Prostate Cancer.

Held at Berth Restaurant Docklands, surgeons, physicians, GPs and doctors of various specialties were able to enjoy a night of sharing knowledge, experience and networking.

The dinner, offering city skyline views over food and wine focused on the silent, but leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the male population. According to World Health Organization reports, at least 513,000 cases and 255,000 deaths are attributed to prostate cancer annually which accounts for the second highest number of male cancer deaths in Australia. Nearly all of these cases are treatable or preventable.

Medicos heard from three leading urologists who discussed prostate cancer from diagnosis through to after care.

Mr Peter Liodakis commenced with the topic on diagnosing prostate cancer, and spoke about incidence and the utility of the PSA (check up blood test), followed by Mr John Kourambas who discussed management, explored various approaches and highlighted the difference between watchful waiting and active surveillance of cancer of the prostate.

Mr George Koufogiannis closed the presentations with his talk on the management of prostate cancer and the various options. He also discussed the management of complications of radical prostatectomy.

Members of the HMSA board attended along with the loyal and long term members continuing to show their support. In addition new doctor members were in attendance and welcomed into the HMSA network.

If you or a family member have a family history or any symptoms, such as difficulty passing urine or frequent urination day or night, weak or interrupted urine flow or the need to strain to empty the bladder, pain or burning during urination, blood in urine, or new onset of erectile dysfunction or other concerns about your prostate you should also speak to your GP or Urologist.

For further information please refer to www.hmsa.org.au and www.racgp.org.au/FSDEDEV/media/documents/Patient%20information/prostate-cancer-screening-infosheet.pdf