NZ government abandons plans to make folate compulsory in bread

STRAIGHT FURROW: Australia will go it alone next month when it begins the mandatory fortification of bread-making flour with synthetic folate, considered a possible prostate cancer risk by some researchers. READ MORE>

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Prostablog poll has message for NZ Health Select Committee inquiry into prostate cancer

PROSTABLOG NZ: The NZ government needs to add prostate cancer to its health priorities, if a Prostablog poll is any indication.

That was the most popular choice of those voting in the poll, which asked Kiwis what they think the Health Select Committee inquiry into prostate cancer should hear.

The closing date for submissions to the inquiry was today.

Votes in the Prostablog poll numbered only 48, which seems a modest result – until you compare it with a similar poll run recently on America’s most prominent prostate cancer website, the New Prostate Cancer Infolink.

It got only 120 votes, so considering the population difference, we didn’t do too badly.

Notwithstanding the extent of the vote, the Prostablog poll has a clear message for the government:

• Add prostate cancer to the health priorities (it doesn’t get a mention in the new list announced in May.
• More money should be committed to prostate cancer research (does anyone know how much is spent now?).
• It should be compulsory for all GPs to offer prostate cancer tests.
• Population-based prostate cancer screening is urgently needed.
• The Ministry of Health should be running a TV campaign like those used to spread the screening message to women about breast and cervical cancer.
• NZ needs more modern prostate cancer treatment drugs.

The Prostablog poll

What should the prostate community tell the NZ Parliamentary inquiry into prostate cancer?

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