Riverina men are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed early with prostate cancer, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
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The foundation's statistics show 83 per cent of prostate cancer diagnoses in the region are for stage one cancer, compared with 37 per cent in the general population.
This means men are catching the disease before it reaches later stages, allowing for potentially life-saving early intervention.
Wagga urologist Steven Sowter said men aged over 50 and men aged over 40 with a family history of prostate cancer should be actively monitoring for the disease with their doctor and Riverina men were becoming more willing to talk about their health.
"I suppose men are becoming more aware, they're probably requesting to see someone earlier," he said.
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Wagga Prostate Cancer Support Group members Kym Holbrook and Mike Murray were both diagnosed with prostate cancer a decade ago, despite having no symptoms, after seeking a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test with their doctors.
Eighteen months after his diagnosis, Mr Murray had successful surgery to remove the cancer after it began to spread.
"The urologist saved my life," he said.
"I've got my grandchildren to see now, that could've all changed if I'd actually done nothing."
Mr Holbrook is still on medication after surgery and radiation did not completely remove the cancer.
He said while ongoing treatment could be a burden at times, he had a good network through the support group and his family.
"I'm doubtful I'd be here now if it hadn't been caught when it was, I think I've got a few years ahead of me yet thankfully," Mr Holbrook said.
He said his story was a reminder for men to make sure to get their health checked for the sake of both themselves and their families.
"I didn't even know what a prostate was, where it was, didn't know what it did, next thing you know I've got cancer in it," he said.
"It takes a big toll on a family."
While the early detection rate is high in the Riverina, the death rate per 100,000 men was 28 compared to the national average of 25 between 2014 and 2018.
Dr Sowter said he suspected in the coming years that would change as more men sought early testing.
Mr Holbrook said there were still challenges for men in remote locations to access the best treatment, and he hoped to see emerging, easily accessible medications put on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in coming years to reduce the travel burden on rural people.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the government was always looking at new medications to put on the scheme, but they needed to go through a rigorous approval process.
He said those with prostate cancer could now access all the treatment they needed in Wagga, and it was good to see the culture shift when it came to "blue collar" men addressing their health.
"I think men are now showing more willingness to put their hand up, or to go to the doctor, whereas once upon a time they just used to solider on and it's not always the best way," he said.
"It's amazing, that early detection can honestly save your life, save your sight, save a lot of health problems from having a greater impact."