Copyright (

c) Queen's Printer,

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

License

Disclaimer

2011 Legislative Session: 3rd Session, 39th Parliament

FIRST READING

The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.

The printed version remains the official version.

MS. SUE HAMMELL

BILL M 212 – 2011

ACCESS TO PROSTATE SCREENING ACT, 2011

The effects of prostate cancer have a significant negative impact on British Columbians. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. This year alone, 3,100 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in British Columbia, and 570 will die from it. In recognition that early detection is a primary element in the fight against prostate cancer, this Act aims to promote prostate cancer screening in British Columbia. With early detection and treatment, many lives can be saved.

It is the consensus of medical experts that pre-screening should be available for asymptomatic men of a particular age group accompanied by active surveillance. This Act will ensure that pre-screening exams for asymptomatic men in this age group will be covered by the medical services plan of British Columbia. The primary goal of this Act is to implement preventative health care in an area that has been severely lacking.

HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:

Definitions

1 In this Act:

"beneficiary" means a beneficiary as defined in the Medicare Protection Act ;

"minister" means the minister responsible for the Medicare Protection Act ;

"prostate cancer screening" means both:

a) digital rectal exam, and

(

b) a test to determine prostate specific antigen levels in the blood;

Prostate Cancer Screening Program

(1) The minister must establish a prostate cancer screening program.

(2) A prostate cancer screening program established under subsection (1) must:

(

i) provide prostate cancer screening free of charge to any person who is:

(

a) a beneficiary,

(

b) male,

(

c) at least 40 years of age, and

(

d) not more than 70 years of age.

(ii) include a program of public education and information to promote awareness of the benefits of prostate cancer screening.

Regulations

3 The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations referred to in

section 41 of the

Interpretation Act .

Commencement

4 This Act comes into force by regulation of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Explanatory Note

The effects of prostate cancer have a significant negative impact on British Columbians. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. This year alone, 3,100 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in British Columbia, and 570 will die from it. In recognition that early detection is a primary element in the fight against prostate cancer, this Act aims to promote prostate cancer screening in British Columbia. With early detection and treatment, many lives can be saved.

It is the consensus of medical experts that pre-screening should be available for asymptomatic men of a particular age group accompanied by active surveillance. This Act will ensure that pre-screening exams for asymptomatic men in this age group will be covered by the medical services plan of British Columbia. The primary goal of this Act is to implement preventative health care in an area that has been severely lacking.

Copyright (

c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada