Prostate cancer prevention; Health Commissioner to promote screening as an effective tool, report. (HJ87)

Introduced By

Del. Delores McQuinn (D-Richmond)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate

Description

Prostate cancer screening; report.  Requests the State Health Commissioner to promote and emphasize prostate cancer screening as an effective tool in prostate cancer prevention. The State Health Commissioner shall submit a report of his progress in meeting this request to the 2013 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/10/2012Committee
01/10/2012Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/12 12100262D
01/10/2012Referred to Committee on Rules
01/20/2012Assigned Rules sub: Studies
02/02/2012Subcommittee recommends laying on the table
02/14/2012Left in Rules

Comments

Katherine Meade Goulait writes:

There is a great deal of confusion in Virginia about how to approach early detection of prostate cancer. According to the American Cancer Society it is estimated that 660 men will die of prostate cancer in 2012. Early detection and improved treatments have been lowering that number over the past 10 years. If men do not take advantage of early detection then then there is a good possibility that rather than decreasing the number of deaths could begin to increase. There needs to be an honest discussion of how to lower over treatment and also how to lessen the numbers of men who are undertreated. In early stages prostate cancer does not show any symptoms.

An honest discussion that is based on what is best for all men would greatly benefit men in Virginia

Richard R. Gillespie PhD writes:

As a Vietnam veteran suffering from Agent Orange prostate cancer, I strongly support the contents of Bill HJ87. Suffering from prostate cancer symptoms in the late 1980s, erectile dysfunction and enlarged prostate especially, my physicians had run out of options on how I should be treated until PSA testing became available. The PSA tests quickly identified my prostate diasease, which was followed for several years until my PSA spiked up almost 200% over the period of 18 months. After discussion with my urologist, I underwent treatment (radiation) immediately. My cancer has remained low grade because of regular PSA screening ever sinceand new treatments applied during recurrence.

Having talked with hundreds of other prostate cancer patients & survivors, I am troubled by how many of them are fighting their disease with little knowledge about prostate cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Our Virginia needs badly to get involved in disseminating information on prostate disease, starting with diagnosis!

No Virginian should die from this disease. Over 700 do each year, however. That is why I support passage of this bill with its focus on early detection.

Jim Waldenfels writes:

As a thirteenth year survivor of a challenging case of prostate cancer, doing very well, I too support passage of this bill. In 1999 at age 56, I had heard for years the doctors who were ambivalent about PSA testing. However, I finally insisted on a PSA test, and the result was over 100, with the subsequent exam and biopsy revealing an aggressive case. Without that detection I might well have died years ago.

This bill covers many important points. It could be improved by terming the USPSTF "recommendation" a "draft recommendation." Hopefully the draft will be drastically revised or simply cancelled, as it was based on profound misunderstanding of the science, especially the clear inadequacy of patient follow-up in key clinical trials. There is no proof that prostate cancer screening does not benefit men and much evidence that it does benefit them.

The bill would also be even better if it coupled screening with "active surveillance" as the preferred option for very low-risk cases and as a prime option for other low-risk cases, a position advocated by leading medical organizations such as the American Urological Association and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Wise use of active surveillance would eliminate the vast majority of instances of overtreatment without jeopardizing the welfare of the men choosing that course, as research has indicated.

Virginia should enact this bill.

Alvin Chin writes:

As a survivor of almost 6 years with prostate cancer, I support this bill as I believe that the PSA test is the best test that we have at this point in time.

If the USPSTF believes that there is over-treatment, they should adopt other procedures or make a recommendation that educates men that there is an option for watchful waiting or active surveillance that will delay treatment or provide warning when the cancer needs treatment. Men should be advised that they have prostate cancer, whether indolent or lethal, and work with their doctors for appropriate treatment at an appropriate time. Doctors should be better informed on counseling their patients to avoid unnecessary over treatment. The PSA test is still necessary to keep men informed of their status and I support this bill.

John J Goulait writes:

As an advocate on men's health, this bill would go far to help those men that may face the disease of Prostate Cancer. It is well known that Prostate Cancer is the second leading cancer killer of men, only second to lung cancer. Since the inception of the PSA testing there has been approximately a 30 to 40% drop in deaths due to Prostate Cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute models 40 to 75% of the drop in these rates is due to early detection of the disease.

A problem that compounds this issue is the fact, that very few men will never know they have prostate cancer until it is to late so early detection is very important. To note with this it is known that the following groups show a higher incidence of the disease: 1) a man, whose family shows a history of the disease; 2) African American, and 3) Vietnam War Veterans that were exposed to Agent Orange. These particular men should probably be targeted at even an earlier time in their lives.

As stated above, I am an advocate for men's health, and we all know that there are a lot more contributors then just Prostate Cancer. Many of those, Ie., blood pressure, diabetes, etc., are highly publicized and this disease deserves to be brought to be highlighted with these other problem diseases suffered by men.

This bill, by promoting early detection for Virginia's men will help save lives and promote a more healthy agenda for those in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Paul Mizue writes:

I am the President of the Hawaii Prostate Cancer Coalition, an organization in the State of Hawaii dedicated to the elimination of death and suffering from prostate cancer. Although clearly I am not a resident of the State of Virginia, I want to support my fellow prostate cancer supporters in the proposed bill to promote screening procedures. Significantly, prior to the widespread introduction of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test around 1992, about 80% of the patients entering into medical treatment were already in advanced or metastatic stage with a bleak outlook for either a cure or remission of the disease. Now only 20% of the patients are in this same circumstance and the death rate has been cut by 40% over the years. Part of the improvement in the rates can be attributed to better treatment techniques, but I believe most of this improvement is attributed to better early detection and as a result, knowledge and action taken by individuals. We need to continue to promote the concept of not only early detection but also more knowledgeable consultation through our primary care physicians, usually the first line of defense. This long term promotion of proper detection and treatment will extend and save lives. I respectfully request your support of this Virginia initiative.

Charlie Hill writes:

I am Charlie Hill, President of the Hampton Roads Prostate Health Forum. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002 and had a recurrence in 2006. Today, I consider myself a prostate cancer warrior who would not be alive if it were not for early detection with both the original diagnosis and the recurrence. I strongly support the bill to promote and emphasize prostate cancer screening. I believe the most reliable way to detect prostate cancer in its early stages is to combine digital rectal examinations with the prostate specific antigen or PSA tests.

I am also African-American and was diagnosed in my late fifties. The data is compelling that African-Americans are at highest risk of having and dying from prostate cancer. This bill can help in saving more lives with all men and especially those of African ancestry.

The core purpose of the Hampton Roads Prostate Health Forum is to reduce the number of men dying of prostate cancer and improve the quality of life of the men diagnosed and that of their loved ones.

Your support of this bill will help us save more lives so I respectfully request your support.