Pathology Awareness Australia brings pathology testing to parliamentarians

MedTech News: Pathology Awareness Australia (PAA) brought pathology testing to parliament, providing on site blood tests to screen politicians and their staff for prostate cancer.

Organised in partnership with the Parliamentary Friends of Prostate Cancer Awareness, the event aims to raise awareness of the important role pathology plays in early detection of prostate cancer, and in guiding treatment.

Minister for Education, Hon Jason Clare MP and Hon Warren Entsch MP are co-chairs of the parliamentary friendship group, they attended for blood tests and to speak in support of the event.

Minister Clare commented “The message is simple – take the test, it could save your life.”

Mr Entsch made a statement to the House to encourage other politicians to be tested and a total of sixty parliamentarians and staff attended for testing.

They were provided a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test which is used to screen for prostate cancer and can aid in the early detection and ongoing management of the disease.

The testing event highlights that the screening tool normally used in general practice is a blood test, not the digital rectal examination (DRE) which many men may be reluctant to undergo. The DRE is not commonly used as a first-line screening tool by GPs. The current PSA testing guidelines state that men should be offered the PSA blood test from age 50 or, if they have a family history of prostate cancer, from age 40-45, depending on the strength of their family history.

Chair of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), Adjunct A/Professor Steve Callister, noted the importance of early detection. “If we can diagnose all men at the earliest stage and ensure they have access to new medicines and care, we can beat this disease.”

John Crothers, Chair of Pathology Awareness Australia noted “Today is a great opportunity to shine a light on the importance of pathology, not only for early detection of prostate cancer but also in providing appropriate treatment and managing the disease. Every single cancer diagnosis requires pathology. During the pandemic we saw a drop in pathology testing levels as participation in healthcare declined as a result of lockdowns, that included PSA tests. This is an excellent time to remind people to get tested and get back on track with monitoring their health.”