FEDERAL Treasurer Wayne Swan has urged ageing men to get over any hang-ups about their sex lives and get checked for prostate cancer as soon as possible.

Mr Swan, who was treated for prostate cancer a decade ago, said anyone over 50 was at risk of having prostate cancer and the odds increased if there was a history of the disease in the family.

He said there were myths circulating about the reliability of Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) tests that needed to be dispelled.

"We need to reassure men they should be tested for prostate cancer," Mr Swan told reporters at Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital today.

"I was lucky that I had a very switched-on GP.

"The challenge with prostate cancer is if it's diagnosed early it doesn't escape the prostate.

"When it comes to prostate cancer there is a fear about their sex lives, no doubt about that.

"But being alive is the most important thing."

Mr Swan opened up about his cancer scare to sufferer Terry Malone, who shares a birthday with the treasurer and will have an operation early in 2012.

The federal budget had included funds to research a cure for prostate cancer, Mr Swan said.

Prostate Cancer Foundation chief Dr Anthony Lowe said slightly more men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year than women with breast cancer.

He said that alone should highlight to men the importance of having a PSA test.