A national charity has issued a warning about a “postcode lottery” in prostate cancer care that is resulting in the unnecessary deaths of thousands of men every year. Prostate Cancer Research found that men in the North East are almost six times more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer compared to those in the top performing trusts in the country. Access to cutting-edge diagnostics and treatments is also significantly lower in northern counties compared to the South. The charity estimates that addressing these disparities could potentially save around 3,000 lives annually, and it is urging more men to come forward for testing.
The UK’s National Screening Committee is currently examining evidence to determine whether a full screening programme should be implemented for men over 50 or those at high risk. Improved testing methods, including safer biopsies and better scans, may now outweigh the drawbacks. A decision on the matter is expected by the end of the year. However, until a national screening programme is in place, it is essential to ensure that access to the best available care is equalized across the country.
The Daily Mail is relaunching its End Needless Prostate Deaths campaign to improve the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer Research’s Chief Executive, Oliver Kemp, described it as a “national tragedy” that one’s chances of surviving prostate cancer can be influenced by where they live. He emphasized the need to eliminate the postcode lottery and provide equal access to the latest diagnostic technology and treatments. Kemp praised the Daily Mail’s campaign and expressed the belief that readers can make a difference.
Early diagnosis is crucial for survival rates as only a third of men live for five years or longer once the cancer has spread beyond the prostate. Nevertheless, data from the National Prostate Cancer Audit reveals significant disparities in the likelihood of timely diagnosis throughout the UK. In the best-performing hospitals in London, just one in 20 cases were diagnosed too late for life-saving treatment, whereas in parts of the North East and Midlands, one in four cases were diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Men living in remote coastal areas and closer to London, such as Brighton and East Sussex, had better outcomes, with 7% learning too late. However, 16 out of the worst-performing 20 trusts were in the North, while 13 out of the best-performing 20 were in the South. Greg Smith, Tory MP for Buckingham and vice-chair of the APPG on Cancer, emphasized that early diagnosis is critical and the disparities jeopardize lives.
The Daily Mail has been campaigning for nearly 25 years to raise awareness about prostate cancer, which claims a man’s life in Britain every 45 minutes. Each year, over 52,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, making it the most common cancer among men and second overall. Despite significant progress since the Mail’s campaign began in 1999, developments in treatment have been slower compared to breast cancer. The Mail’s initiative aims to improve diagnosis and treatment for prostate cancer.
In addition to the discrepancies in diagnosis stages, the charity has found significant variations in how men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. Overall, the North has access to 15% fewer diagnostic options, and men in the Midlands and above face challenges in accessing care as they have 29% fewer treatment possibilities within easy distances. The charity is calling for equal access to the best diagnostics and treatments for all patients in the UK.
A spokesperson for the NHS stated that record numbers of people are undergoing cancer checks and local services are diagnosing more cancers, including prostate cancer, at early stages. They encouraged men to use the online risk checker developed by the NHS and Prostate Cancer UK, consult the prostate cancer symptoms advice on NHS.uk, and see their GP if they have any concerns. The Department of Health and Social Care added that early cancer diagnosis is crucial in saving lives.
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