Malignant neoplasm of the prostate — DVA SoP factors

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 3 of 2023

At least one of the following factors must as a minimum exist before it can be said that a reasonable hypothesis has been raised connecting malignant neoplasm of the prostate or death from malignant neoplasm of the prostate with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

1. (1)
   inhaling, ingesting or having cutaneous contact with a chemical agent contaminated by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD): (a) for a cumulative period of at least 1,000 hours, within a consecutive period of 10 years, before the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the prostate; and (b) where the first exposure occurred at least 5 years before the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the prostate;

   Note: inhaling, ingesting or having cutaneous contact with a chemical agent contaminated by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD) is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

2. (2)
   being: (a) on land in Vietnam; or (b) at sea in Vietnamese waters; or (c) on board a vessel and consuming potable water supplied on that vessel, when the water supply had been produced by evaporative distillation of estuarine Vietnamese waters; for a cumulative period of at least 30 days, at least 5 years before the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the prostate; (a) on land in Vietnam; or (b) at sea in Vietnamese waters, estuarine Vietnamese waters and potable water are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary;

   Note: being:.

3. (3)
   consuming an average of at least 400 grams per day of dairy products, for at least 5 years within the 20 years before the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the prostate;
4. (4)
   being exposed to arsenic as specified before the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the prostate, where the first exposure to arsenic occurred at least 10 years before the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the prostate;

   Note: being exposed to arsenic as specified is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

5. (5)
   inhaling fumes, vapours or dusts containing hexavalent chromium (chromium VI), while working in an industry or manufacturing process generating high concentrations of hexavalent chromium compounds: (a) for a cumulative period of at least 1,500 hours before the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the prostate; and (b) where the first inhalation of fumes, vapours or dusts occurred at least 5 years before the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the prostate;

   Note: Examples of industrial processes or workplace practices where exposure to hexavalent chromium compounds can occur include working in the manufacturing or handling of stainless steel, working as a mason or concrete worker dealing with cement that contains chromates, and work involving chromate production and chromate electroplating.

6. (6)
   having received a cumulative equivalent dose of at least 0.1 sievert of ionising radiation to the prostate at least 5 years before the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the prostate;

   Note: cumulative equivalent dose is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

7. (7)
   having periodontitis for at least 5 years within the 20 years before the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the prostate;
8. (8)
   consuming alcohol in an amount of at least 100 kilograms within any 10 year period before the clinical worsening of malignant neoplasm of the prostate;

   Note: Alcohol consumption is calculated utilising the Australian Standard of 10 grams of alcohol per standard alcoholic drink.

9. (9)
   having smoked tobacco products: (a) in an amount of at least 10 pack-years before the clinical worsening of malignant neoplasm of the prostate; and (b) commencing at least 5 years before the clinical worsening of malignant neoplasm of the prostate; and if smoking has ceased before the clinical worsening of malignant neoplasm of the prostate, then that worsening occurred within 20 years of cessation;

   Note: one pack-year is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

10. (10)
    the use of smokeless tobacco: (a) on more days than not; and (b) for at least 10 years before the clinical worsening of malignant neoplasm of the prostate; and if the use of smokeless tobacco has ceased before the clinical worsening of malignant neoplasm of the prostate, then that worsening occurred within 10 years of cessation;

    Note: smokeless tobacco is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

11. (11)
    being obese for at least 5 years within the 20 years before the clinical worsening of malignant neoplasm of the prostate;

    Note: being obese is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

12. (12)
    having diabetes mellitus for at least 5 years before the clinical worsening of malignant neoplasm of the prostate;
13. (13)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for malignant neoplasm of the prostate ;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsections 9(8) to 9(13) apply only to material contribution to, or aggravation of, the condition where it was suffered or contracted before or during (but did not arise out of) the person’s relevant service.