Prostate Cancer UK is spearheading a new dawn for
men's health with the launch of its ambitious MANifesto,
an unprecedented plan designed to transform the landscape of men's
health.
The organisation recently merged
with Prostate Action, and it will use its combined might to speak
with a direct, unified voice to improve the fortunes of men's
health. Despite being predicted to be the most common cancer in the
UK by 2030, prostate cancer still does not receive the investment
it needs in research, with the main test for the disease unreliable
and treatments often bringing damaging side effects. Millions of
other men have their lives blighted by the pain and misery of
prostate disease such as benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and not
enough is known about their causes.
As well as a pledge which sets
out clear plans to invest in research and create innovative support
solutions, through its MANifesto,
Prostate Cancer UK wants to lead a movement for change, bringing
men, politicians, health professionals, and others with
them.
Lord Lloyd Webber, a patron of
the newly-formed charity, said: "For too long men's cancers have
played second fiddle to other diseases. I am delighted that
Prostate Cancer UK has vowed to do more and effect change from
today. I know, from experience, how this disease can impact on a
man's life. I was happy to stand up and speak out about my
diagnosis at the time, and I am proud to be among the first to join
the movement for change being led by Prostate Cancer UK.
"I am fully behind the
launch of the organisation's comprehensive MANifesto which promises
a new dawn for men and men's health. I am urging others to join me
in committing to a better future for men," he added.
Prostate Cancer UK will triple
its spend, investing £25million in research. Its priorities will be
to find a new generation test for prostate cancer, one that does
not pose the risk of unnecessary treatment to men. It will also be
investing in ways of identifying those men most at risk of
aggressive prostate cancer and new, less invasive
treatments.
As well as finding answers for
the future, Prostate Cancer UK will also do more - much more - to
support men, and their families, now. It will significantly
increase its investment into support, including innovations to
reach men in their communities and provide support to men where and
when they need it. It will also be creating a network of support
nurses, filling the gap between hospital care and GP
support.
The organisation will be
developing its first ever mass communications campaign to draw
together a powerful coalition of healthcare professionals,
politicians, the media, as well as men, to redress the injustices
surrounding prostate cancer and prostate disease.
Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of
Prostate Cancer UK said: "Despite being the most common cancer in
men and projected to be the most common cancer overall by 2030,
prostate cancer has been suffering from a prolonged period of
neglect and underinvestment, leaving us decades behind where we
need to be. Our plan is, without a doubt, the most ambitious and
comprehensive improvement and change initiatives in the history of
men's health.
"This is more than a MANifesto.
As well as setting out what we pledge to do for men, it is a call
to arms, an invitation to join us. This is not a remote cause. It
is very close to home, and we can make a concrete difference to
thousands of lives now. Everyone with a Dad, brother or best mate
has a vested interest in moving men's health forward.
"Men, quite simply, deserve
better. From this day forward, that is what Prostate Cancer UK is
absolutely committed to ensuring they get."
Please view our MANifesto
here