NEW PROSTATE CANCER INFORMATION AVAILABLE

Men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer now have easier access to clear, practical information to help them make decisions about their care.

Saskatchewan Health has posted a new prostate cancer section on its website that includes a series of educational pamphlets, multimedia presentations and web links. Health Minister Don McMorris made the announcement to mark September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Saskatchewan.

"Improved cancer care is a high priority for our government, and prostate cancer is clearly an area where more can be done to serve patients," McMorris said. "This initiative will help ensure that men and caregivers are well informed about their options for screening, diagnosis and treatment. People in this position need all the support we can provide."

The new information is available at www.health.gov.sk.ca/prostate-cancer. Urologists, health regions, and patients were represented on the group that led the initiative.

Opinions vary within the medical community about the best treatment options for prostate cancer patients. However, specialists agree there is value in providing more information to patients and families so they can choose the options that are best for them.

Other prostate cancer initiatives are underway in Saskatchewan, including work on a standardized patient care process, and development of a Prostate Assessment Centre at Regina's Pasqua Hospital.

About 870 Saskatchewan men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and an estimated 230 will die. Prostate cancer is the third most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths for men in Canada.

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For more information, contact:

Karen Hill
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083