8 Jul 2022

Men still face long delays for prostate cancer detection

From Nine To Noon, 9:30 am on 8 July 2022
A test tube for a prostate cancer antigen next to a catheter and a blue ribbon (file photo)

Photo: 123RF

Men over 50 are forced to wait too long for prostate cancer to be picked up and then treated - according advocacy and support group, Prostate Cancer Foundation.

About 650 New Zealand men die of prostate cancer every year.

The Foundation says due to Covid there has been a decline in GP visits, and therefore detection of early signs. 

Its Chief Executive, Peter Dickens, tells Kathryn Ryan, once prostate cancer has been detected, it can take months for a referral to a urologist, further months for a biopsy and more waiting for any curative treatment such as a prostatectomy.

Kathryn also speaks with prostate cancer survivor Conor English, who says men ought to treat their bodies like their cars, and get an annual WOF