A Pacific Prostate Cancer Foundation launched on Friday in Auckland says mainstream screening programmes are failing to stem increasing numbers of Pacific men killed by the disease.
Pacific men have the worst death rates from prostate cancer in New Zealand.
Organiser Joe Williams said Pacific men do not get screened for prostate cancer until it is too late because standard health messages about the risks are not getting through.
Dr Williams said the foundation will use Pacific health organisations to educate Pacific men about prostate cancer, and to encourage them to start screening in their 40s.
