‘Wide variation’ in prostate cancer care

GETTING the best medical care for prostate cancer depends on where you go to be treated for the disease, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) claimed yesterday.

Because of a significant variation in the quality of prostate cancer treatment available in Ireland, the ICS is highlighting the need for men to be treated in major cancer treatment hospitals to ensure the best outcome.

Consultant oncologist and ICS chair Professor John Armstrong said the society decided to launch a new initiative called Action Prostate Cancer because of high incidence of the disease and the inequality of medical care.

“Ultimately, we would like the Government to commission a report, which would examine hospitals and specialists currently providing prostate cancer treatment, the variations in that treatment, and which would make recommendations on the delivery of optimal levels of treatment,” he said.

Prof Armstrong said the society envisaged that the report would be much the same as the 2000 study of breast cancer services that recommended the development of specialist units throughout the country.

“Prostate cancer is a silent cancer in that it does not receive the same attention politically and socially that other cancers do,” he said.

The society is refocusing attention on the disease, with the help of singer and songwriter Christy Moore and broadcasters Charlie Bird and George Hook, to underline the benefits of early detection and treatment of the disease.

The ICS is also highlighting the benefit of men having the standard Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test, a blood test that can diagnose the cancer at an early stage before the patient develops any symptoms.

Prof Armstrong said the test allowed the cancer to be picked up at a stage where it was treatable and curable. He said every man should be aware of the risk of getting prostate cancer and should not hesitate in getting help if they experience problems urinating.

The society’s new Prostate Cancer Information Service can be contacted at 1800 380380 or by email at [e-mail]. More information is available on www.irishcancer.ie.