Men at high risk for prostate cancer will soon have far fewer barriers to get prostate cancer screenings. A bill that would eliminate cost sharing for prostate cancer screening for high-risk men is now awaiting Governor Landry’s signature after unanimously passing in both the House and the Senate. Alice Kline, the Louisiana government relations director at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, says this will make it a lot easier for those men to get those life-saving screenings.
“Sometimes, when you go to the doctor and you have to get a test, you might have a copay or maybe your insurance doesn’t kick in until you hit your deductible. This would ensure that there’s no cost associated with that screening,” Kline explained.
Kline says prostate cancer is a major concern among men, particularly over the age of 50.
“In 2026, it’s estimated that 5,400 men in Louisiana will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 450 will die from the disease,” Kline noted.
Kline says when prostate cancer is found earlier, it is much more treatable.
“If we eliminate that cost barrier, hopefully, men will be getting diagnosed earlier and then that mortality rate will go down,” Kline said.
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