CTV News has learned the governing Liberal Party will launch their formal election platform by Friday, but on Thursday, Premier Dalton McGuinty will announce funding for PSA tests for prostate cancer.
Men who have Prostate Specific Antigen tests, which are used for early detection of a treatable form of cancer, currently have to pay $25 or $30 for the test out of their own pockets.
High PSA levels can mean cancer or just an enlarged prostate; only a biopsy can determine the cause of the PSA levels.
While the PSA test does pick up many cases, it's also known to find signs of cancer where there may be simply an infection and ends up sending many men into surgery when they don't have cancer.
As well, the test can give men the all clear when there is actually a cancer growing.
Because experts disagree about using the PSA test for screening for prostate cancer in men without symptoms, governments have declined in the past to pay for the tests.
Meanwhile, sources have told Canadian Press that McGuinty's platform will offer a $42-million program to help students with homework. Current funding of $12 million for the homework project would triple to $42 million a year.
Other key points on the election platform leaked in recent days:
- a cut to the Provincial Sales Tax on bicycles and protective headgear
- give parents a tax credit for children enrolled in sports
- dental care to the working poor
The Liberal platform is being released this week, but McGuinty won't begin officially campaigning for the Oct. 10 election until Monday.
