Blue Like You

Archive for August 8th, 2007

This morning on Newstalk 570, one of the discussion points was the question of whether or not PSA tests to detect prostate cancer should be covered in Ontario under OHIP, considering that annual mammograms are covered for women after a certain age.

Why one and not the other?

Jeff Allan made the point that the McGuinty government seems to have plenty of money to throw around for cricket, but we seem to be increasingly shortchanged in the area of health care.

If preventative medicine is so important, why aren’t PSA tests covered? And why aren’t eye exams too?

There was an excellent letter in the Record recently which pretty much says it all:

I have been reading a lot in the news about whether we should have a two-tiered medical system — hello, it is already here! There is one system for women and one for men.

Why are annual Pap tests and mammograms for women covered under our current medical system and the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood tests to detect prostate cancer in men cost $30?

Today, I read that we are spending $83 million to vaccinate young girls for cervical cancer. What is not two-tiered about all this? Does anyone realize that prostate cancer is not an old man’s disease anymore and it is becoming more prevalent in younger men and one in seven men will get prostate cancer?

Yes, it is a curable cancer but only if it is caught in an early stage. One of the best indicators is the PSA blood screening. Prostate cancer is fast becoming a silent killer of men. And also, the loss of breasts is devastating but how about what men can lose with removal of the prostate — including their lives?

I know all this because I am a prostate cancer “victim” as was my father and grandfather. This was diagnosed by my annual PSA test as the anal exam did not indicate a problem. And guess what? Now that I am a “victim” as they classify me, my ongoing PSA test is covered if I go to the cancer clinic to have it done. We need to realize that this test needs to be covered under our medical program now.

Oh yes, my ongoing treatments for curing my cancer will be covered under our medical system and in my case I took the preventive measures. What about those who do not because of the cost? Let’s level the playing field here. Annual PSA blood tests need to be covered under our medical system.

And guys: This is no longer your “father’s disease.” Discuss this on your annual visit with the doctor, get tested and pressure our government to make this important test covered under our medical program.

Tom Sutherland

Wasaga Beach

Are men being discriminated against in Ontario?

In today’s Post - Vision TV once again the focus of controversy.

Gail Thomson, VisionTV’s director of marketing and communication, said the channel screened Mr. Oktar’s documentary prior to it being aired and found nothing offensive in its content.

A memo prepared by the individual who viewed the film describes it as a “Koranic interpretation of creation.”

Ms. Thomson said the channel also did some research into Mr. Oktar’s background, but that investigation did not uncover his views on the Holocaust.

“Had we known about his views, there would have been a different situation and a different decision made,” Ms. Thomson said.

Better get moving on setting up that task force, guys.