Following their pledge to fund PSA screening for men in Ontario, Minister of Health David Caplan issued the following statement. The Foundation applauds the Minister for this clarification and his recommendation that men speak to their doctors about their risk of prostate cancer. Please read through our website to learn more about the Foundation’s stance on PSA testing.
THE OTTAWA CITIZEN, JANUARY 19, 2009
I'd like to set the record straight on the McGuinty government's expansion of access to Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) testing for prostate cancer for men. Beginning Jan. 1, OHIP now covers the cost of a PSA test in community labs closer to home for Ontario men whose doctor or nurse practitioner advises a test is required. Previously, the PSA test was only covered in hospitals. This means greater access to PSA testing across the province. A doctor or nurse practitioner might order a PSA test for patients considered to be at risk of prostate cancer due to family history, their own health history, or their race. Contrary to some misconceptions, a man does not need to be showing symptoms of prostate cancer in order to get a free PSA test. Also, there is no age condition for a free, OHIP-insured test. We believe the PSA test is an important tool for doctors and can help save lives of Ontario men. While the results alone do not necessarily indicate prostate cancer, physicians can use this tool to indicate whether further investigation is required. The most important thing any man can do is visit his health-care provider. Prostate cancer is too important to be ignored, which is why the McGuinty government encourages Ontario men to make sure they have this conversation with a doctor or nurse practitioner, who are in the best position to discuss with their patients whether a PSA test is needed. One other important note: new OHIP forms have been issued that require a doctor to check a specific box indicating that a patient requires a free PSA test. If you received an order for a test before Jan. 1, talk to your doctor to make sure to have the right form. If you are uncertain whether you need a PSA test, as always, you should talk to your physician or nurse practitioner. He or she can best decide whether a PSA test is right for you.
David Caplan, Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care