01 November 2007

Government Can’t Ignore Prostate Cancer

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says the Government is not doing enough to help fight one of the most serious health threats to New Zealand men – prostate cancer.

“Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, and is now responsible for the deaths of almost 600 New Zealand males a year. But despite the figures, and the advice of prostate cancer specialists, the Government continues to have a wait and see approach to the introduction of nationwide prostate cancer screening.

“The Government hasn’t even run public information campaigns to inform men of the risk of prostate cancer, aside from produce two pamphlets.

“While the Government has invested almost $360 million in extremely valuable cervical and breast cancer information campaigns and screening programmes for women, men have not been so lucky.

“The groups behind initiatives such as ‘Movember’, which gets underway today, have been highly successful in raising the public profile of prostate cancer and they must be applauded for their efforts. But it is a shame they don’t receive the support they need and deserve from the Government.

“It is time the Government moved to fill the void in men’s health by addressing the issue of prostate cancer, and I urge the new Health Minister to make this a priority. It should not be a silent disease,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

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