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Men With Prostate Cancer Denied Chemotherapy
A shocking 7 out of 10 men with advanced prostate cancer do not receive chemotherapy despite being eligible for treatment.
Cancer specialists say that while some men may have been offered chemotherapy and turned it down, many others have never been given the option at all, and so many patients are currently not being offered the full choice of treatments that could extend their lives.
World Cup legend Sir Geoff Hurst, backed by leading doctors, MPs and patient groups, are appealing for all men with prostate cancer to get access to the best care.
The new ‘7 out of 10’ campaign, which is calling for all men with prostate cancer to be made fully aware of their options, was launched today by the England football hero at the Houses of Parliament in London.
Around 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year, making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the UK. It kills around 10,000 men every year - 27 every day – placing it second only to lung cancer as the most common cancer killer of men.
"When it comes to your health, none of us want to take any chances and so that is why I am backing this campaign,” said Hurst. “It is important that men with this disease, which is the most common cancer in British men, know all their options so they can make informed decisions and get the best possible care they can."
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There are a range of treatment options for patients with advanced prostate cancer, including bone-targeted therapies, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
"There are major differences across the country which means many men with advanced prostate cancer patients are not being offered the full range of treatments,” said John Anderson, consultant urologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. “Access to prostate cancer care should not be left to chance. We need to encourage better shared care across the country and for medical teams to work more closely together, so all patients are fully aware of their options."
Dr Amit Bahl, Consultant Oncologist at Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre, said that chemotherapy is a relatively new treatment option for men with advanced prostate cancer and needs to be considered at the right time to be able to benefit men.
“Healthcare teams should discuss all potential treatments with men as early as possible, so patients can consider their options and make the best choice for them at every stage of their care," he said.