Stephen
Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has pledged to support
the swift implementation of a Prostate Cancer UK initiative in Essex to help
men with prostate cancer receive the best possible care and support, regardless
of where they live.
This
comes as new analysis uncovered vast variations in the care that men with
prostate cancer receive across the whole of England. The evidence further
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.
In
a bid to help stamp out these inequalities, Prostate Cancer UK has produced a
Quality Checklist to be used as a best practice
guide for men and clinicians. The checklist sets out 15 national standards for care and support that men with prostate cancer should
expect and demand, from the point of their diagnosis through to the end of
their life.
Stephen
Metcalfe MP showed his support for the Quality Checklist at a campaigning event
held at Westminster this week where he met with people affected by prostate
cancer from across the country.
Mr
Metcalfe commented: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, yet the
quality of care is not consistent across the country. 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, and hope that it is adopted as soon as possible to help
all men who are diagnosed with the disease.”
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 Stephen Metcalfe MP has shown
his support for men with prostate cancer 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.”
The charity is working closely
with men and their families, healthcare providers, politicians and health
professionals to ensure that the checklist is adopted and implemented
throughout the UK.
To view the Quality Checklist
please visit www.prostatecanceruk.org/qualitycare.
