Hammell take steps to promote prostate cancer screening

This week, New Democrat MLA Sue Hammell reintroduced the Access to Prostate Cancer Screening Act, which would ensure that asymptomatic men have access to pre-screening exams accompanied by active surveillance, both covered by the medical services plan of British Columbia.

“Last spring, I introduced this same bill towards the end of the session, however when the house adjourned for the summer the bill died on the order paper,” said Hammell. “I believe all men over 40 should have access to prostate cancer screening programs for both the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test and digital rectal exam (DRE).”

PSA testing is one tool that can help detect prostate cancer earlier. Yet B.C. remains one of the few jurisdictions left in Canada that does not cover PSA screening. Experts in British Columbia are recommending PSA screening accompanied by active surveillance. “It is my hope that this act will be duly considered by the health minister so British Columbia can catch up with other provinces and territories,” said Hammell.

“When I reintroduced the bill this week, I was joined by prostate cancer survivors and advocates from the Prostate Cancer Canada Network Surrey, Prostate Cancer Canada Network Comox Valley and The Prostate Centre in Victoria,” said Hammell. “There is lots of support from the community to have this testing available, but when will Christy Clark put families first and agree to cover the tests?”

“This year alone, 3,100 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in British Columbia and almost 600 will die from it,” said Hammell. “The effects of prostate cancer have a significant negative impact on British Columbians as prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men.”

“In August, New Democrats, along with fellow Canadians from coast to coast were hit hard following the devastating loss of Jack Layton, after his battle with cancer,” said Hammell. “This month men and women across the country have been growing or wearing moustaches raising awareness in his memory. To date, ‘Movember for Jack’ has raised over $100,000.”

For more information on ‘Movember for Jack’, visit: http://ca.movember.com/mospace/network/MovemberForJack