| Breaking
News
In
news programmes on the 22nd July 2008, the BBC featured information
on a new drug called Abiraterone. They claimed that "Scientists
are hailing a new drug to treat aggressive prostate cancer
as potentially the most significant advance in the field for
70 years."
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Events
Prostate
Cancer Awareness Week
Prostate
Cancer Awareness Week this year was held 10th to 16th March
2008. Hundreds of individuals and Groups accross the UK joined
forces to help raise awareness of prostate cancer and raise
vital funds to improve research, information and support services
for men and their families who are affected by the disease.
Prostatic
paradigms for the 21st Century
Held on Friday 16 March 2007
A conference organised by The Royal
Society of Medicine: Scotland Region, Prostate Scotland and
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
Venue: The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh,
Nicolson Street Edinburgh EH8 9DW
This meeting
provided a forum for discussion of the current state of research
into prostate cancer generally, with specific insights from
Scotland.
It reviewed current treatments for prostate cancer available
in Scotland giving both patient and clinician perspectives.
The meeting also looked at how latest technologies may impact
treatment of and research into prostate cancer, and how this
may influence the shape of service delivery - in the short,
medium and long-term.
First
Prostate Cancer Forum
The Prostate
Cancer Charity held the first Scotland Prostate Cancer Forum
in March 2006. Leading Scottish prostate cancer specialists
offered the Forum insights into the latest thinking in prostate
cancer treatment in Scotland.
The Forum was very successful and was heavily over-subscribed.
It provided men with prostate cancer and their families/carers
an opportunity to meet and share experiences. It provided
health professionals with an opportunity to hear about the
prostate cancer journey from men themselves, and to discuss
good practice with colleagues. And it provided an opportunity
for professionals in the wider health field to learn about
the unique challenges of prostate cancer. The Forum confirmed
the need for greater awareness of prostate cancer in Scotland.
Prostate
cancer is the second most common cancer amongst men in Scotland
(behind lung cancer) and the third most common cancer cause
of death. In 2002 there were 2,335 new cases and the incidence
is increasing; in 2004, 802 men died of prostate cancer.
Usefully,
Mr Alan McNeill, Consultant Urological Surgeon at the Western
General Hospital in Edinburgh advised on treatments available
for those suffering from prostate cancer in Scotland at all
of the Prostate Cancer Treatment Centres in Scotland. See:
Prostate Cancer
Treatments Available in Scotland
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The Prostate
Cancer Charity has been successful in securing funding from
the Big Lottery Fund for an innovative new project (which
started May 2006) targeting older men (aged 65+) with prostate
cancer in the West of Scotland. The grant is being used to
encourage and support older men with prostate cancer and their
carers to access the support and information services available
so that they receive the best possible care and treatment.
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Research
Our aim
will be to provide links to web pages with information as
to new research into prostate problems.
Bookmark this site and come back on a regular basis. When
we find suitable links, we will put them in this section.
TREATMENT
UNNECCESSARY?
New
research strongly suggests that the majority of men diagnosed
with low grade prostate cancer do not need to undergo the
radical treatment currently used. The modelled data published
in the British Journal of Cancer predict that only 1% of men
(aged 55 to 59) with low grade , screen detected Prostate
Cancers would die from their disease within 15 years, even
without treatment. However, men with high grade Prostate Cancer
should benefit from treatment.
LASERS
It has been reported that lasers could be used to treat prostate
cancer patients and spare them the side effects of more invasive
surgery. A team at University College London is carrying out
trials using photo-dynamic therapy to treat prostate cancer.
DOCETAXEL
(Taxotere)
This drug which is used in late stage Prostate Cancer, was
not approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium in November
2005 - "cost effectiveness has not been demonstrated".
The Scottish Association of Prostate Cancer Support Groups
was unhappy with this decision and made representations to
this effect. We are pleased to report that NHS Quality improvement
Scotland has recently stated that the NICE (National Institute
for Clinical Excellence) appraisal in favour of the drug supercedes
the SMC advice.
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BEST
TREATMENT
For the first time, NHS Direct Online has a 'Best Treatment'
section on prostate cancer. The new Best Treatment resource,
which the NHS is running in conjunction with the BMJ, provides
very clear information on the most common health conditions
including explanations of the pros and cons of elective surgery
procedures, details of other treatments available, and advice
on pre-and post-operative care.
A good site.
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SELF
HELP
Self-help leads to longer survival
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