The trial - named RADICALS - is partly funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and Cancer Research UK and aims to provide the definitive guide on when and how to use prostate cancer" href="http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/pressreleases/?view=Rss" default.asp?page="2847'" www.cancerhelp.org.uk>radiotherapy and prostate cancer" href="http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/pressreleases/?view=Rss" default.asp?page="2849'" www.cancerhelp.org.uk>hormone therapy to treat prostate cancer after surgery.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. Over the last 30 years prostate cancer rates have tripled, largely due to the increasing use of prostate cancer" href="http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/pressreleases/?view=Rss" target=_blank default.asp?page="2838#psa'" www.cancerhelp.org.uk>PSA testing, which has led to more diagnoses.
Early stage prostate cancer - cancer contained within the prostate gland - is often treated with surgery. Some patients, depending on their PSA test results after surgery will then be given either radiotherapy, or a combination of radiotherapy and hormone therapy.
The use of these treatments varies across the country and doctors are uncertain about which treatment is best for all men.
Dr Chris Parker, from the Institute of Cancer Research, is chief investigator for the trial and said: "There's a lot of uncertainty around how to treat men who have had their prostate removed. PSA testing is likely to increase in the future. This will result in more men being diagnosed with prostate cancer. So this investigation is essential to ensure that all men receive the best treatment."
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