Prostate cancer and Medicare funded testing in Australia

Medicare funded testing is still not available for men with early prostate cancer. Many men who are diagnosed at a young age (under 60) or who have a family history of breast, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic or colon cancer, choose to pay for their own testing (cost $450 to $600 depending on the panel). Testing may guide treatment decisions (such as whether active surveillance is a suitable option). It also provides risk information for the patient and their family.

Medicare funded testing is available if the prostate cancer is advanced. For example, in castration resistant metastatic prostate cancer, somatic (tumour) testing is Medicare funded if PARP inhibitor therapy is being considered. This testing (item 73303) is usually ordered by the Medical Oncologist. If there is no cancer to test (or if testing fails quality assurance), then germline testing via a blood sample is Medicare funded (item 73304).