Men with prostate cancer should be encouraged to consult with specialists other than surgeons to explore all treatment options, according to new MBS guidance.

Under the latest changes, a patient’s refusal to accept a referral to a radiation oncologist from either their GP or urologist should also be clearly documented in their medical record.

The updated guidance, arising from MBS Review taskforce recommendations and effective from 1 November, has been added to the explanatory notes for items for radical prostatectomy, including two new items for cases complicated by previous radiation treatment or focal therapy.

“Best practice … would be for the operating surgeon to have a long consult with the patient within six months prior to surgery to discuss and provide patients with written information about all guideline-endorsed treatment options for their condition,” the notes state.