10/12/2021
Prostate cancer testing regime petition open for signatures
The Petition of Kristine Hayward ‘Implement a funded, risk-based, equitable prostate cancer testing regime in NZ’ is open for signatures.
The Petition Request: That the House of Representatives urge the Government to implement a centrally funded and administered risk-adapted early prostate cancer detection strategy based on prostate-specific (PSA) testing, risk calculators, and MRI imaging, and State-funded support for the psychological and physical effects.
The Petition Reason: Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in New Zealand men. Over 3,500 are diagnosed each year and 650 die. Currently, I believe testing is unfunded, disorganised, and inequitable. I believe inequities in testing allow too many men to die, with Māori and rural men disproportionately affected. I believe we need a structured, population-based testing approach for early detection of prostate cancer in men over 50 (40 with a family history), just as we have with breast cancer.
How can you help?
By circulating the petition information with your friends and networks, helping us gain as many signatures as possible. Our goal is 100,000 signatures, which would mean it has to be debated in Parliament.
Online Petition
To sign the Petition online use the link below. We also encourage you to share it with others who may also wish to sign.
Paper Petition
To gain as many signatures as possible we encourage you to circulate hard copies of the Paper Petition among your friends and networks, local clubs and businesses.
Click here to download and print the Paper Petition. This is in PDF format, A4 size.
Please do not alter this sheet in any way, doing so will make all signatures null & void. Both fields ‘NAME + SIGNATURE’ must also be completed. The sheets must also be the originals (not scans or photocopies).
Please return all originals to: Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ, PO Box 301313, Albany, Auckland 0752
Background
- The petition is intended to shift health professionals, Ministry of Health, and public thinking around the issue of the importance of a funded programme of regular testing for prostate cancer for men over 50 (40 with a family history); in a similar way to women aged between 45 and 69 years who can get a free mammogram every 2 years.
- The petition is intended to building momentum toward a change in policy or in how testing for prostate cancer by PSA blood test and DRE are routinely offered to all age-appropriate men throughout NZ
- This petition is intended to compel the Ministry of Health to update its policies to require primary healthcare professionals to offer informed routine regular testing for prostate cancer via a PSA blood test and if indicated a DRE. AND to communicate these policies and expectations to primary healthcare providers.
- We know, from Professor Hendrik Van Poppel (Urologist, European Association of Urology) who presented at our recent National Conference, that a structured approach to early detection, such as this regime, could lead to a 40% reduction in mortality.
Link to petition