MP’s backing for cancer campaign (From Swindon Advertiser)

MP’s backing for cancer campaign

8:30am Monday 18th March 2013 in News

NORTH Wiltshire MP James Gray is endorsing Prostate Cancer UK’s Quality Checklist.

Mr Gray pledged to support the swift implementation of a Prostate Cancer UK initiative in Wiltshire to help men with the condition to receive the best possible care and support, regardless of where they live and is calling on Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group to ensure it is adopted as soon as possible to help all men who are diagnosed with the disease.

“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, yet the quality of care in Wiltshire is falling behind in key areas,” he said.

“It is incredibly important that we do all we can to ensure all men with prostate cancer get the care and support they need. I am therefore delighted to endorse Prostate Cancer UK’s Quality Checklist.”

New analysis by the charity uncovered vast variations in the care that men with prostate cancer receive across the whole of England.

The evidence highlights that, despite recent improvements, the disease lags behind the treatment of other common cancers in key areas such as availability of specialist nurses, provision of information and support.

Dr Sarah Cant, director of policy and campaigns at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “There are over 215,000 men living with prostate cancer in England, many of whom have to make difficult treatment choices or cope with tough side effects. It’s not good enough that that they also face a postcode lottery when it comes to the quality of support and information they receive to deal with this.

“It is vital that every man with prostate cancer has access to the world class information, care and support he needs and deserves if we are to help men have a better quality of life in the future.

“We are delighted that James Gray has shown his support by endorsing our Quality Checklist. Men with prostate cancer deserve the best, and we’re absolutely determined that’s exactly what they are going to get.”