Prostate cancer has now overtaken breast cancer as the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia, according to new data released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Surgery wait times have blown out as a result, with some men waiting more than a year.

Professor Jeff Dunn, head of research at the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, has worked in cancer research for more than 30 years and told Gary Adshead, in for Liam Bartlett on 6PR Mornings, the institute estimates that more than 24,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year.

"These are critical times for men's health in Australia... it provides us with platform to raise awareness," he said.

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