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