Regular medical check saves lives

Encouraging New Zealanders to be proactive about their own health is a high priority for the National-led government.

I am especially focused on increasing awareness amongst our Indian communities.

Cancer is a major health issue for all New Zealanders, affecting one in three of us either directly or through a family member or friend.

It is the second leading cause of death in New Zealand.  

It will be no surprise to you that a person’s treatment is far more likely to be successful if the cancer is caught and treated early.

It is unfortunate that not everyone utilises the excellent cancer screening programmes available in New Zealand.

The screening process also involves people who have no symptoms undergoing a simple test, usually at regular intervals, to detect cancer at an early stage of development, or to identify precursors of cancer.

Talking about your health and getting regular checks may save your life.

One example is cervical cancer, which is one of the most preventable forms of cancer.

If a sexually active woman aged 20 to 70 years has a cervical smear test every three years, her chance of developing cervical cancer is reduced by as much as 90%.

Women aged 45 to 69 years should also be regularly screened for breast cancer.

Breast Screen Aotearoa provides two-yearly free breast screening for eligible women.

I have been working hard in the area of breast cancer treatment in recent years.

Last year, the new government announced funding a full 12-month course of Herceptin for early Her-2 positive breast cancer sufferers.

Over time, this will benefit more than 300 women a year who would have had to pay previously for their treatment out of their own pocket.

This year, our health committee is reviewing screening and treatment of prostate cancer.

This means we can make an informed decision about whether New Zealand needs a national prostate cancer-screening programme like breast and cervical cancer.

We also want to make sure that people around the country are getting the same information from the health ministry and medical specialists.  

This review is due to be released in November.

Your health and the health of your family is an important priority for the National-led government.

We are committed to improving cancer treatment options in New Zealand.

We are also committed to making sure all our cancer screening programmes are of an excellent standard.

I strongly encourage you and your family to undergo regular medical tests.

Dr Jackie Blue is member of parliament on National List. Read our editorial, Revisiting our health practices’ in this section.