Prostate campaign backed

Grey Power New Zealand is urging men to take their prostate health seriously, while calling for progress on a proposed prostate cancer screening pilot.

The organisation is backing the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s Just a Tick – It could save your life campaign, which encourages men to discuss PSA blood testing with their doctor.

Grey Power president David Marshall says too many men delay seeking medical advice until something is wrong.

Around 4500 New Zealand men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually, with about 700 dying from the disease.

Marshall says men aged 40 and over should discuss prostate health with their doctor, including the benefits and limitations of PSA testing.

He also welcomed commitments from National and Labour to support a screening pilot, but wants action.

“We want to see the pilot properly funded, designed around sound clinical evidence and implemented without unnecessary delay,” he said.

The pilot would help determine whether nationwide screening could improve early detection while minimising unnecessary treatment.