More Wyoming Men Getting Prostate Exams

By Michelle Dynes, Wyoming Tribune-Eagle

Jun. 18–CHEYENNE — Wyoming has earned a passing grade on its third Prostate Cancer Report Card.

In doing so, the state raised its overall score by a letter grade, trading last year’s “D” for a “C” in 2008.

The National Prostate Cancer Coalition issues the report each year, evaluating states based on such factors as insurance mandates, support for prostate cancer-related legislation, mortality and screening rates.

“I’m happy to see that Wyoming has gone up; a lot (of states) stay the same or don’t improve,” said Katie Gorscak, of the National Prostate Cancer Coalition.

According to MedlinePlus, the prostate is the gland below a man’s bladder that produces fluid for semen. Prostate cancer is a leading cause of death from cancer in men of all ages, though it is rare in men younger than 40.

Wyoming’s screening rates and insurance mandates to cover screenings earned the state an “A” in each category. But “F” grades for mortality rates and lack of congressional delegation support pulled down the state’s report card.

Gorscak said the top 10 states in each category earn “A” ratings; the bottom 10 collect the “F.”

She added that while more Wyoming men are screened to detect prostate cancer early, there hasn’t been enough legislative support to further raise the state’s overall grade.

Congressional lawmakers were scored based on support for legislation to create a prostate cancer screening program for low- to moderate-income men; to increase funding for prostate cancer research; and to create an Office of Men’s Health within the Department of Health and Human Services.

“Unfortunately, if the legislative side doesn’t get on board, it’s tough to raise the grade,” Gorscak said.

Prostate cancer was the third-leading cause of death for Wyoming men in 2005, said Joe Grandpre, chronic disease epidemiologist for the Wyoming Department of Health.

It is also the most diagnosed form of cancer for men in the state. Each year about 300 to 400 new cases are diagnosed — 30 to 40 men die from the disease.

But three out of four Wyoming men over the age of 40 have had a prostate-specific antigen test, he said.

The American Cancer Society recommends men over the age of 50 get the blood test. Men at high risk should begin screenings at age 45.

The screening rates also keep rising from year to year.

In 2001 about 69 percent of Wyoming men over the age of 40 had a PSA test. By 2006 the rate was nearly 74 percent.

And as more men check for prostate cancer, the state’s morality rate continues to drop.

Grandpre said 68 men died from the disease in 2001. By 2005 the death total was 34.

The rate of prostate cancer death per 100,000 men in the state was 45 in 1990 and nearly 39 by 2001. He said in 2005 the rate dropped to nearly 17.

Dr. James Lugg, a urologist at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, emphasized the importance of being checked for the disease.

“The typical guy dies without being screened,” he said. “I think some are getting the wrong message that prostate cancer doesn’t kill. But it is (a leading) cause of death for men nationwide.”

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