New Prostate Cancer Guidelines Australia 2026

10 Oct

Where Does Prostate MRI Fit?

The new 2026 Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Early Detection of Prostate Cancer provide a clearer framework for PSA testing, risk assessment and referral. They emphasise individual risk, shared decision-making and avoiding unnecessary investigation and treatment.

For GPs, an important practical question is: what should happen when PSA remains elevated after repeat testing?

An elevated PSA does not diagnose prostate cancer. PSA can rise for several benign reasons, so the guidelines recommend repeat testing before proceeding further. If PSA remains elevated at the relevant age- and risk-specific threshold, the GP can discuss the implications with the patient and consider referral to a specialist, usually a urologist or an Oncologist.

Where does MRI fit?

The guidelines recommend multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) before prostate biopsy. MRI can identify and characterise suspicious lesions and help determine whether biopsy is warranted.

There may be circumstances where a GP and patient consider an unfunded prostate MRI before the specialist consultation, particularly if this could reduce delays. However, the MRI should use an appropriate prostate protocol and be interpreted by a radiologist experienced in prostate imaging. The MRI should also be considered alongside PSA level and trend, prostate volume, PSA density, clinical findings and other risk factors.

For radiologists, this reinforces the importance of high-quality prostate MRI, structured reporting and clear communication with the referring clinician.

The emerging pathway can therefore be summarised as:

Risk assessment → PSA → repeat PSA when indicated → referral/clinical discussion → mpMRI → specialist assessment → biopsy when indicated.

The aim is not simply to perform more MRIs or biopsies, but to detect clinically significant prostate cancer earlier while reducing unnecessary invasive procedures and overdiagnosis.

🧠 Introducing PROSTATERAD 2027: How to Advance Prostate Imaging Excellence

To support clinicians in delivering the highest standard of prostate cancer diagnosis, we are proud to be hosting:

PROSTATERAD Imaging Workshop (27–28 February 2027 in Sydney)

Led by international experts, Professor Shonit Punwani (UK) and Clinical Associate Professor RaJeev Jyoti (Australia) this hands-on case review course focuses on prostate MRI interpretation and best practice in prostate imaging.

What PROSTATERAD Covers

PI‑RADS v2.1 interpretation
MRI anatomy & common diagnostic pitfalls
Case‑based learning with real clinical examples
Structured reporting
Integration of MRI findings into biopsy and treatment pathways
Multidisciplinary perspectives from Radiology and Urology

Whether you’re a Radiologist wanting to refine your reporting or a Urologist seeking deeper insight into MRI‑guided decision‑making, PROSTATERAD offers practical, clinically relevant education designed to elevate prostate cancer care across Australia and New Zealand.

💬 Join Us in February 2027

As prostate cancer rates continue to rise, the demand for highly skilled Radiologists has never been greater. PROSTATERAD 2027 is your opportunity to sharpen your expertise, connect with peers, and contribute to a future where every man receives the most accurate diagnosis possible.

Together, we can elevate prostate cancer care across Australia and New Zealand — one diagnosis at a time.

Learn more about prostaterad 2027