Late diagnosis for four in ten prostate cancer patients

Male cancer charity Orchard has commissioned a report, which has found a “worrying trend” in late diagnoses of prostate cancer, with 37 per cent of cases being diagnosed at stages three and four.

Recent figures released showed that for the first time in the UK, more men were dying from prostate cancer than female deaths from breast cancer.

Rebecca Porta, chief executive of the charity, said “With prostate cancer due to be the most prevalent cancer in the UK within the next 12 years, we are facing a potential crisis in terms of diagnostics, treatment and patient care. Urgent action needs to be taken now.”

The report disclosed that 42 per cent of patients reported symptoms to their GP twice or more before being referred, and 6 per cent were seen five or more times prior to referral.

Prostate cancer is diagnosed through a combination of a PSA (prostate specific antigen) test, physical examinations and biopsies. The PSA test is free to patients over the age of 50, but the report highlighted that these tests were predominantly being taken up by “more highly educated men in more affluent areas.”

The UK National Screening Committee’s director of programmes Professor Anne Mackie, said the test was not offered across the board because it was not effective at predicting which men had cancer.

“It will miss some cancers and often those cancers that are picked up when using the PSA test are not harmful.

“Treatment for prostate cancer can cause nasty side effects so we need to be sure we are treating the right men and the right cancers.

“There is a lot of research into screening and treatment for prostate cancer and the committee, along with NICE and the NHS, is keeping a close eye on the evidence as it develops.”

An NHS England spokesperson said “NHS England is working closely with leading clinical experts to bring the latest research on prostate cancer into practice. Targeted work is also being undertaken to ensure prostate cancer is diagnosed quickly and that everyone receives the best case wherever they live across the country.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence compensation claims, and have obtained substantial compensation for our clients. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

Posted by Karen Motley, Paralegal, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (karenmotley@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Freephone : 0800 304 738