Men with prostate cancer are being seen more quickly and receiving better care according to a report launched today by Health Minister, Lord Warner at the National Prostate Cancer Conference.
The report sets out the huge progress that has been made following the publication of the NHS Prostate Cancer programme four years ago. The programme was the first of its kind and aimed to focus attention on the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in England and the second biggest cancer killer in men.
Health Minister, Lord Warner said:
"We take prostate cancer very seriously. That is why four years ago we published the NHS Prostate Cancer Programme to give prostate cancer the priority it deserves. As a result a lot of excellent progress has been made. Patients are being seen more quickly and are getting better care.
Making sure patients have access to the latest treatments is key to reducing the suffering caused by this condition - that is why prostate cancer is the only cancer to have a specific target for government spending on research. This will help to ensure that patients get the benefit of pioneering new techniques like high intensity focused ultrasound for which clinical trials are due to begin early next year.
There is, of course, more to do. But the advances made in the last few years show what can be achieved when the Government, voluntary sector and the NHS work in close partnership to tackle this problem."
Achievements so far include:
Prostate cancer is the only cancer with a government spending target for research - the target of £4.2 million was reached in 2003/04;
over 98% of patients with suspected prostate cancer are now seen by a consultant within two weeks of being urgently referred by their GP compared to 40% in 1997;
the number of consultant urologists has increased by 40% - there are now 503 consultants compared to 343 in 1997;