Like most of us, I don't take as good care of my health as I should.
But a recent campaign launched to better inform men with prostate cancer has highlighted the fact that even where men are trying to look after themselves better, they are held back by flaws within the Health Service.
35,000 men a year are diagnosed with prostate cancer, making it the most common cancer in men. Some 10,000 a year will die and they are, mostly, diagnosed with metastatic hormone refractory disease. Recent developments have pointed to the success of chemotherapy in treating this form of the disease. But campaigners believe that 70% of men diagnosed with this type of cancer are not receiving the treatment.
The reasons for this include the fact that some multi-disciplinary teams are not implementing national guidelines, referrals from urologists to oncologists are not always made at the right time and some clinicians may not be up to speed on the treatment so they don't refer patients. Most importantly, some patients who are offered the treatment decline it for various reasons including embarrassment.
Clearly we need to do more to ensure that as many men as possible overcome understandable fears and gain benefits from the available treatments.
I have been discussing general issues around prostate cancer with our local Primary Care Trust. They will be moving to a new state of the art treatment centre early next year where new and world class radiotherapy equipment is being installed. There will be a multi-disciplinary team that has been assessed as fully compliant with prostate cancer guidelines. This team offers all treatment options to patients.
There are plans to produce a patient experience survey later in the year, so that people can play a real part in the development of the service. Key to this is the development and distribution of high quality information systems.
The PCT is also involved in a national exercise to expand the use of Clinical Nurse Specialists which is due to start soon. Alongside this there are plans to develop a system whereby patients will have a dedicated contact point for all enquires.
It is heartening to see that lots of work is being done in this crucial area, but individuals who are diagnosed with prostate cancer should not hesitate in demanding the best advice, information and support as possible. Don't put it off - early diagnosis could save your life.
| Promoted by Paul Foy on behalf of Dave Anderson, both of St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5PT |