Hon Tony Ryall
National Party Health Spokesman

30 October 2006

MoH inaction on prostate cancer test guidance

Almost a year after the Government promised new guidance on PSA testing for prostate cancer, nothing has been agreed on or released, says National's Health spokesman, Tony Ryall.

He is commenting in the run-up to 'Mo-vember' and prostate cancer awareness month.

"The Government is failing New Zealand men and their families by not getting this important work done.

"In December last year the Ministry of Health said it would develop new guidelines for men and their doctors on PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing 'early next year'. It's almost 12 months later, and still nothing," says Mr Ryall.

Latest available annual data from the Ministry of Health shows 2,600 prostate cancer registrations and more than 550 deaths from prostate cancer a year.*

"The Prostate Cancer Foundation has long said that current guidance and information dissuades doctors and patients from discussing this cancer until they show symptoms of prostate cancer.

"This is a matter of informed consent and improving access to information. We should make sure men as patients are fully informed on the pros and cons of PSA testing. The NHS in Britain runs an Informed Choice Programme specifically on PSA testing.

"In announcing it would have new guidelines in early 2006, the Ministry of Health said new guidance was needed 'to ensure that doctors can provide the best advice to enable men to make informed decisions suitable to their particular circumstances'.

"While there is debate about screening and the use of PSA testing, here is the Government saying this new guidance is needed and they would do it quickly, yet a year later there is still no new guidance.

"The Government owes an explanation as to why it has been dragging the chain on this matter," says Mr Ryall.

ENDS

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