The Prostate Cancer Charity comments on new research presented
at the National Cancer Intelligence Network conference in London
today (15 June 2011) which suggests that up to half of deaths in
men with prostate cancer are directly due to the disease -
challenging the commonly held perception that more men are likely
to die with the disease than from it.
Ruth Holdaway, Director of Operations at The Prostate Cancer
Charity, explains: "Prostate cancer kills 10,000 men every year.
Yet, a widely-held notion persists that men will simply die with
the disease, rather than from it.
"This research is key in exploding that traditional view, and in
putting the spotlight firmly on this disease as a significant men's
health issue. The good news for all men is that deaths from the
disease are declining. Much remains to be done however, in terms of
improving treatments for men at greatest risk of dying from
prostate cancer, particularly by investing in research, which has
suffered chronic under-funding. Of particular importance is the
need to find a sensitive test, capable of distinguishing between
the aggressive and slow-growing forms of the disease so the cancer
can be treated and more men will survive."