90% of prostate cancer patients alive after five years

Nine out of 10 prostate cancer patients survive more than five years, compared to just one in three 40 years ago.

As part of the Movember fundraising campaign, the Irish Cancer Society has been looking back on prostate cancer research advances in Ireland.

Survival rates have improved tremendously, because of huge strides in the prevention, detection, and treatment of the disease.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Irish men, accounting for a third of their cases.

About 3,400 new cases of the diseases are identified in Ireland every year, due to improved detection.

However, more needs to be done to improve survival rates, particularly for men with metastatic prostate cancer.

Also, ways need to be found to improve the lives of men who have survived the disease, as they often suffer a reduced quality of life.

The Irish Cancer Society and the Movember Foundation Ireland became partners nine years ago to invest in Irish prostate cancer research projects.

Consultant medical oncologist, Prof Ray McDermott, said prostate cancer survival rates only showed one side of the journey a patient with the disease travelled.

“For survivors, their diagnosis and treatment often impact on their physical and mental wellbeing in ways men rarely speak openly about,” he said.

Prof McDermott is clinical director of the prostate cancer research initiative, iPROSPECT, funded by the Irish Cancer Society in partnership with Movember, to devise personalised treatments and improve patient outcomes.