Grey Power Welcomes Mammography Decision

November 19, 2003
MEDIA RELEASE

Grey Power welcomes the decision by the Minister of Health Annette King
to extend the age range for publicly funded mammography to cover the 50 to 70 year age bracket.

This is an improvement in coverage that we have been advocating for some years and we are pleased that our numerous approaches to the Minister have been effective.

A mere 54% of 50-64 age women have so far accessed the ScreenBreast Aoteoroa programme. We hope that with this extended age range a greater percentage of those women that are eligible to participate will do so.

The Minister is to be congratulated for her success in instituting the training of additional radiation therapists; these people now emerging fully trained, to assist the fight against this dreadful disease and alleviate some of the suffering caused by it.

With the anticipated extra radiation therapists aiding the staffing of the cancer treatment clinics we share the Ministers expectations that the waiting time for treatment will be considerably reduced. It is our fervent wish that this is achieved in the near future.

Grey Power would remind the Minister of the need to further consider the raising and benefits resulting, of a similar screening programme for prostate cancer in men.

Dennis R Paget
Health Spokesperson.
Grey Power NZ Federation Inc.

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