PM to announce new research and funding in drive to fight prostate cancer
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PM to announce plans to tackle prostate cancer during visit to
hospital in Cambridgeshire She will set out a £75m plan to launch
new research to tackle a disease that affects one in eight men
and claims 10,000 lives a year This will focus on early diagnosis,
innovative new treatments and care for men with prostate cancer.
The PM will also discuss long-term plans for the NHS with hospital
staff The Prime Minister will today [Tuesday 10 April] set
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The Prime Minister will today [Tuesday 10
April] set out ambitious new plans to help thousands of men with
prostate cancer get treated earlier and faster.
Over 40,000 men will be recruited into
prostate cancer studies over the next five years, which will be
backed by £75 million to support new research into early
diagnosis and treatment.
The Prime Minister will also meet with NHS
staff during the visit to Cambridgeshire – the first in a series
of discussions as the Government works with the health service to
develop a long-term plan for the NHS.
Ahead of the visit, Theresa May said:
“Too many people endure the loss of a loved
one because cancer diagnosis comes too late in the
day.
“Our cancer treatments are world class and
survival rates are at a record high, but prostate cancer still
claims thousands of lives every year.
“I know we can do more. That’s why I am
setting out new plans to help thousands of men get treated
earlier and faster.”
Today’s announcement comes as the Prime
Minister confirmed the Government will come forward with a fully
funded, long-term plan for the NHS this year – the year of the
service’s 70th birthday - in
conjunction with NHS leaders, clinicians, and health
experts.
She continued:
“Now in its 70th year, our NHS has a
bright future – since last November, we have already committed
£10 billion in new funding, including a new pay deal for one
million NHS workers. In fact, as part of our balanced approach to
managing the economy we have increased spending on the health
service every year since 2010. But I’m clear the way to secure
the NHS’s future is having a long-term plan, with sustainable
multi-year funding.
“To inform this, I’ll be meeting doctors,
nurses and other NHS staff today to understand the challenges
they face and discuss how we can effectively meet the demands of
the future.”
Health and Social Care Secretary
Jeremy Hunt said:
“Prostate cancer claims too many lives every
year and our ability to detect and treat it in the very early
stages is crucial in fighting this disease.
“The plans announced today will refocus our
efforts to develop new treatments and will give men with prostate
cancer, and their families, hope of survival. The NHS is a world
leader in fighting cancer and survival rates are at record highs
but there is still more to do - this research will ensure that
many more lives are saved.”
The new studies will particularly target
higher risk groups including black men – one in four of whom will
develop the disease – as well as men aged 50 or over and men with
a family history of prostate cancer.
Over 40,000 patients will be recruited for
more than 60 studies in prostate cancer, to test treatments
including more precise radiotherapy, high-intensity focused
ultrasound, cryotherapy, alongside supportive interventions
including exercise and dietary advice.
This new research drive comes as ‘one stop
cancer shops’ are being piloted in ten areas to catch cancer
early and speed up diagnosis, particularly for those suffering
with less obvious symptoms.
Dr Jonathan Sheffield, Chief Executive
at the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical
Research Network said:
“Clinical research brings us closer to the
development of new treatments for prostate cancer
patients.
“The NIHR will work closely with the NHS, life
sciences industry, charities and research funders to support the
recruitment of 40,000 men into research studies over the next
five years. This will provide more opportunities for earlier
access to new drugs and therapies, which will ultimately lead to
improved diagnoses and care in the future.”
Today’s announcement will both complement and
extend research undertaken over the past fifteen years in close
partnership with Cancer Research UK, Prostate Cancer UK, the
Medical Research Council and the NIHR.
Dr Iain Frame, Director of Research at
Prostate Cancer UK said:
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in
men and it is now the third most common cause of cancer deaths in
the UK.
“However, with increased research investment
used wisely, over the next few years we can turn this around and
make prostate cancer a disease men no longer need to fear. This
is what Prostate Cancer UK is striving for through our ambitious
research programme.
“Today’s announcement shows a very welcome and
positive commitment from the government to play a key role in
getting men the early and accurate diagnosis and treatments for
prostate cancer they deserve. It at last shows recognition of
what a huge issue prostate cancer is and the focus needed to stop
it being a killer.
“We look forward to finding out more about the
plans laid out by the Prime Minister. By working together and
pooling our resources we will be able to save more lives more
quickly and build a better future for men.”
Notes to editors
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