NHS Patients To Benefit From New Measures To Improve Access To Drugs, UK
Leave a CommentA package of measures designed to speed up access to new drugs and treatments for NHS patients, was announced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and Health Minister Lord Darzi today.
The four proposed changes will ensure that more NHS patients receive the life-saving, clinically and cost effective drugs and treatments they need faster. It will also ensure that where NICE guidance has not yet been issued for a new drug or treatment the local NHS makes more robust and transparent decisions about what treatments it will fund.
The measures announced today by Lord Darzi and NICE are:
– A consultation on a new and faster system for referring drugs to NICE for appraisal – proposals will enable NICE to issue more timely guidance, in turn giving patients faster access to drugs and treatments.
– An additional new appraisal committee – to ensure that NICE has the capacity it needs to appraise new drugs and treatments as promptly as possible;
– Increased investment in “horizon scanning” to ensure that new drugs are identified early on for appraisal; and
– A guidance document for the NHS – detailing good practice on how decisions on new drugs should be made by Primary Care Trusts where there is no existing NICE guidance . This will be supported by a programme of training and support to assist theNHS to implement the guidance.
Announcing the package of measures, Health Minister, Lord Darzi, said:
“Last year in High Quality Care for All I set out our commitment to speed up the NICE process. Together, the measures set out today build on this commitment and will help provide faster and fairer access to new drugs and treatments – great news for patients.
We are delighted to be working in partnership with NICE to ensure that new drugs and treatments are assessed sooner and more quickly in future, leading to improved and higher quality care for patients.
“The guidance for PCTs will help the NHS to ensure that local decisions are robust and transparent, leading to more consistency in those exceptional cases where there is no existing NICE guidance.”
Chief Executive of NICE, Andrew Dillon, said:
“This is an important consultation on the way that topics are chosen and referred for NICE’s world-leading appraisals of new drugs and treatments. We are very keen to ensure that our guidance is produced as quickly as possible to benefit patients and the NHS.
“Speeding up non-cancer appraisals by at least three months to come in to line with the cancer appraisals, and increasing transparency by clarifying topic selection criteria, are just some of the potential improvements we and the Department of Health are suggesting.
“The views of patients, the public, health professionals and other stakeholders on the proposed changes to the topic selection process will be very helpful, and we look forward to receiving their comments.”
The consultation on the proposed changes to the NICE topic selection will run for 3 months whilst the guidance to PCTs will be issued to the NHS with immediate effect.
The new appraisal process which will be consulted on will include the following:
– New joint DH/NICE exclusion and prioritisation criteria for technology appraisals. The new criteria apply to both cancer and non-cancer appraisals. We believe these new criteria will allow NICE to operate the early stage of the process with less DH involvement.
– No “minded” referral stage for any technology appraisal topics. This change will mean there is a single point of Ministerial referral for all drugs.
– Smaller, more frequent batches of topics referred to NICE, up to 6 times a year rather than 3 times as now.
The consultation document can be downloaded from http://www.nice.org.uk/getinvolved
The additional investment in “horizon scanning” capacity will be through the Department of Health’s existing contract with the University of Birmingham.
The guidance to PCTs sets out in detail the framework for rational decision-making and contains realistic examples of processes that are seen to be working in the NHS. It is intended to be an evolving document, which will be modified to take account of experience. It can be accessed on the National Prescribing Centre’s website http://www.npc.co.uk
The measures also support the implementation of the recommendations in Mike Richard’s review on the funding of additional private care. Following his review new guidance was issued to the NHS which made clear that the NHS should not withdraw treatment from the few patients who still choose to pay privately for drugs which are not funded by the local NHS
National Prescribing Centre
Jaotech To Showcase Their Biggest Ever Terminal And Latest Medical Technology At HIMSS 09, UK
JAOtech will be exhibiting its largest ever patient terminal at the HIMSS show in Chicago, along with its full range of hygienic patient terminals, new accessories and enhancements.
The new Arie from JAOtech is an 18.5 inch widescreen Smart Terminal that has been designed specifically to support high resolution graphics for exceptional image quality, allowing clinical and diagnostic images including X-rays to be viewed with the required clarity. This powerful terminal features Intel CoreDuo technology to give sufficient processing power to deliver the required graphics capability. As with all of JAOtech’s Smart Terminals, the Arie retains a fully sealed construction as well as anti-bacterial plastics, able to withstand deep-cleaning to minimise the risk of transmitting infection through the unit or the screen.
Visitors to the stand will be able to see how easy it is to integrate technologies and accessories with JAOtech’s Smart Terminals and the wide range of options that are available. Technologies being demonstrated include Sonitor’s ultrasonic identification for secure access control, and Linet’s intelligent connected bed which collects data and transmits it to a hospital IT infrastructure. A new wireless keyboard will be on display plus further specification options including call LEDs, microphones, RFID scanners, smart and magstripe card readers, bar code, RFID, biometrics, microphone, and a camera with a privacy shutter.
About JAOtech
JAOtech is a market leader in the design and manufacture of a world class, innovative range of embedded Smart Terminals(TM). JAOtech patient entertainment terminals are UL60601 compliant by design, and already over 15,000 have been installed in hospitals worldwide in partnership with approved technology partners. The company also addresses retail, education and industrial markets
JAOtech
Clinical Study Evaluates MORAb-009 Plus Standard Of Care For Extending Survival Of Patients With Mesothelioma
Morphotek®, Inc., a subsidiary of Eisai Corporation of North America, has announced that it has commenced a multi-centered Phase II study of its MORAb-009 monoclonal antibody in mesothelioma. The study will evaluate MORAb-009, plus the chemotherapy drugs pemetrexed and cisplatinum, as a first-line treatment for patients with mesothelioma.
The primary objective of the study is to assess the efficacy of MORAb-009 as combination therapy with the current standard of care as determined by progression-free survival in patients with locally advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma. Secondary objectives include safety and anti-tumor activity of MORAb-009 as determined by objective response rate. The patient population includes individuals with locally advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma who have not received any prior treatment for their disease. Morphotek expects to enroll up to 86 patients in this clinical study, which is being conducted at clinical centers globally.
“We are excited to have initiated this Phase II study of MORAb-009 in mesothelioma in cooperation with leading physician-scientists,” stated Martin D. Phillips, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Morphotek. “Mesothelioma has a generally poor prognosis, so we hope that MORAb-009 will one day provide a benefit and hope to mesothelioma cancer patients.”
MORAb-009 is a monoclonal antibody that blocks the function of mesothelin, a cell surface protein on mesothelioma, pancreatic and a subset of other types of tumor cells that can allow these cells to attach, metastasize and grow. Mesothelin has been demonstrated by several independent studies to be expressed on virtually all mesothelioma tumors. Preclinical data support the theory that MORAb-009 achieves its pharmacological effect by two mechanisms: first, by blocking mesothelin’s ability to interact with its target and second, by stimulating the patient’s immune system to attack the tumor by specifically destroying those cells bound by MORAb-009. The Phase II clinical trial is supported by safety data and clinical observations from a recently completed Phase I trial of MORAb-009 in patients with mesothelin-bearing tumors, including pancreatic, mesothelioma and ovarian cancers as well as data derived from preclinical models.
Mesothelioma develops in the chest outside the lungs, usually growing asymptomatically before it is discovered. It is especially common in people who have been exposed to asbestos, such as ship yard workers and pipefitters. Each year, an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the United States. It accounts for more than 2,500 deaths in the United States. It accounts for approximately 43,000 deaths worldwide each year.
Notes:
About Morphotek
Morphotek, Inc., a subsidiary of Eisai Corporation of North America, is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of protein and antibody products through the use of a novel and proprietary gene evolution technology. The technology has been successfully applied to a broad variety of cell lines and organisms to yield genetically diverse offspring that are suitable for pharmaceutical product development in the areas of antibody therapeutics, protein therapeutics, product manufacturing, drug target discovery, and improved output traits for commercial applications. The company is currently focusing its platform on the development and manufacturing of therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of cancer, inflammation and infectious disease. For more information, please visit http://www.morphotek.com/.
About Eisai Corporation of North America
Eisai Corporation of North America is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eisai Co., Ltd., a research-based human health care (hhc) company that discovers, develops and markets products throughout the world. Eisai focuses its efforts in three therapeutic areas: neurology, gastrointestinal disorders and oncology/critical care. Eisai Corporation of North America supports the activities of its operating companies in North America, which include: Eisai Research Institute of Boston, Inc., a discovery operation with strong organic chemistry capabilities; Morphotek, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies; Eisai Medical Research Inc., a clinical development group; Eisai Inc., a commercial operation with manufacturing and marketing/sales functions; and Eisai Machinery U.S.A., which markets and maintains pharmaceutical manufacturing machinery. For more information about Eisai, please visit http://www.eisai.com/.
Source:
Nicholas Nicolaides
http://www.morphotek.com/
Morphotek Inc.
Judee Shuler
Eisai Corporation of North America
Sebelius Accepts HHS Secretary Nomination; Pick Sparks Criticism From Antiabortion Groups
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D) on Saturday accepted President Obama’s nomination to be HHS secretary, thus “stepping into a central role” in the administration’s efforts to overhaul the U.S. health care system, the Washington Post reports (Fletcher/Connolly, Washington Post, 3/1). Abortion-rights opponents have “promise[d] a vigorous fight” against the nomination of Sebelius, a Roman Catholic who supports abortion rights, the AP/Yahoo! News reports. According to the AP/Yahoo! News, antiabortion-rights groups said that while they would “probably be uncomfortable with nearly anyone” Obama nominated, they are “particularly upset” about Sebelius (Hanna, AP/Yahoo! News, 2/27). Sebelius has “endured fierce and often personal criticism” from abortion-rights opponents, largely because of her vetoes of antiabortion measures. A recent veto led the archbishop of Kansas City to ask Sebelius to stop taking Holy Communion (Washington Post, 3/1).
Sebelius would have “considerable influence” over government policies affecting abortion as head of HHS, the New York Times reports. The governor has said that she personally opposes abortion, but she has “consistently defended” abortion rights in Kansas, a state “where the antiabortion movement can be fierce,” the Times reports. Sebelius has vetoed antiabortion measures almost every year since becoming governor, including bills that would have allowed relatives to petition a court to stop some abortions and required the licensing of abortion clinics (Sack, New York Times, 3/2).
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, said Sebelius is an “extremely pro-abortion” choice for HHS secretary who, as an elected official in Kansas, has “fought against popular pro-life measures” like parental consent and restrictions on abortions later in pregnancy. Perkins also charged that Sebelius “has had a close personal and financial association” with Kansas abortion provider George Tiller, who faces charges of violating state requirements on performing post-viability abortions. Troy Newman, president of Operation Rescue, said that the nomination shows the “radical nature of Obama,” adding that Operation Rescue will reach out to senators about a connection between Sebelius and Tiller. Patrick Mahoney — executive director of the Christian Defense Coalition, said that he has contacted many social conservatives about creating an opposition strategy to the nomination. Mahoney said that although it would be difficult to block Sebelius’ nomination in the Democratic-controlled Senate, the pick would hurt Obama’s popularity with Catholic voters.
Sebelius has “won backing” from several abortion-rights groups who say that her actions as Kansas governor have reduced the number of abortions in the state. Chris Korzen, executive director of Catholics United, said Sebelius is a “proven and tireless advocate for children’s health care, education, adoption and support for pregnant women, all components of a public policy agenda intended to benefit the common good.” He added, “Under her leadership, the state of Kansas has witnessed sharp declines in both abortions and teen pregnancy” (Wilson, The Hill, 3/1). Beth Martino, a spokesperson for Sebelius, said that the abortion rate in Kansas was 9% lower in 2007 than in 2002, the year before Sebelius took office.
According to the AP/Yahoo! News, a “major reason” for antiabortion groups’ criticism of Sebelius concerns an April 2007 reception at the governor’s residence that Tiller and his staff attended. Tiller, at the time, was under investigation by the Kansas attorney general for allegedly violating state abortion laws. Martino said Tiller purchased the right to attend the reception through a fundraising event for an abortion-rights group. Ron Pollack — executive director of the health reform advocacy group Families USA, which supports Sebelius’ nomination — said the Tiller reception is unlikely to be a significant issue for Obama. He said both Sebelius and Obama “believe that they want to do whatever they can to minimize abortion,” while following “the rulings of the Supreme Court, and that’s the law of the land.”
Charmaine Yoest, president and CEO of Americans United for Life Action, said Sebelius’ “very close association” with Tiller is what has drawn the criticism, “not just that she has a pro-abortion rights viewpoint.” Susan Fani, spokesperson for the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights, said, “This is a whole different level. That someone who’s so radical on this issue could be chosen is mind-boggling to us” (AP/Yahoo! News, 2/27).
Office of Health Reform
Sebelius’ nomination comes after former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) — Obama’s No. 1 pick for the position — withdrew his nomination amid controversy over unpaid taxes. An Obama administration source said it is unlikely that Sebelius will also fill the role of director of the White House Office of Health Reform, a position Daschle created for himself. The Post reports that one possible choice for that role is Nancy-Ann DeParle, a former Clinton administration adviser, who would “take over the effort to conceive, sell and implement a wide-ranging health care overhaul” (Washington Post, 3/1).
Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women’s Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women’s Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.
© 2009 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.
Asthma More Likely Among Children Who Watch A Lot Of TV, Asthma UK Comment
Dr Elaine Vickers, Research Relations Manager at Asthma UK says: ‘This study does not suggest that watching TV directly causes asthma but uses the amount of time children spend in front of the television as an indication of how much time they spend sitting down rather than running around.
‘The findings add to a wealth of evidence linking a lack of exercise and being overweight with an increased risk of asthma, but this study is the first to directly link sedentary behaviour at a very young age to a higher risk of asthma later in childhood.
‘We have one of the highest rates of childhood asthma in the world so it is especially important that parents in the UK try to prise their kids away from the TV and encourage them to lead an active lifestyle. This includes children with asthma, who can also greatly benefit from regular exercise.’
Asthma UK
Alaska Gov. Palin Voices Support For State Parental Consent Bill
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) on Thursday voiced support for legislation (H.B. 35, S.B. 6) that would require parental consent for a minor to receive an abortion in the state, the AP/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports. The House and Senate bills were introduced in their respective chambers at the beginning of the session. The House version, sponsored by Rep. John Coghill (R), would revise the 1997 Parental Consent Act, which the Alaska Supreme Court overturned in a 3-2 vote in 2007. The court said the parental consent requirement was unconstitutional because it infringed on pregnant teenagers’ right to reproductive freedom. According to the AP/Daily News-Miner, the court is “more conservative now with a Palin-appointee replacing a justice who cast a vote to overturn” the act.
Although Palin “voiced strong antiabortion views” as Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) running mate in the 2008 presidential election, she “has not pushed that agenda in the Legislature until now,” the AP/Daily News-Miner reports. Palin said she did not propose her own bill this year because she did not want to create competing legislation (Sutton, AP/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, 2/27). According to the Anchorage Daily News, the bill might have “trouble in the state Senate,” after Senate President Gary Stevens (R) said months ago that “far left and far right issues” would not be on the table in the Senate. Sen. Hollis French (D), who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, said that he has not yet analyzed the bill but would give it a hearing (Demer, Anchorage Daily News, 2/27). The AP/Daily News-Miner reports that an identical bill passed the House in 2008 but ultimately failed because it did not have a Senate hearing. Sen. Charlie Huggins (R), a supporter of the bill, said a citizen’s initiative would be filed if the bill failed to pass this year (AP/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, 2/27).
Palin said, “Wherever you fall on the abortion issue, right or left, this legislation is about family, and it’s about parents’ rights and protecting our children.” She added that legislators “on both sides of the aisle” support the bill (Anchorage Daily News, 2/27). Palin also said the “most important thing is the right of Alaska children to receive support and the ability for them to receive the support and input of their parents as they face a life-changing decision.”
Clover Simon, executive director of Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest, said the bill violates the constitutional rights of pregnant teens. She said that although the group wants parents to be included in decisions regarding abortion, it does not “believe you can mandate parental communication with their teens.” She added parental involvement “has to be something that starts long before the unintended pregnancy.” PPGN also said it is concerned with a section of the bill that would allow teens to bypass parental consent by petitioning a court. Smith said the requirements are difficult for teens who might be in abusive situations at home (AP/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, 2/27).
Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women’s Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women’s Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.
© 2009 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.
Frost & Sullivan Says, Rising Awareness Boosts High Acuity Areas Monitoring Systems Market In Eastern Europe
Providing low cost, yet high quality products will be a key requirement that market participants will need to address in order to succeed in the eastern European high acuity areas monitoring systems markets. The cost of after-sales service will also prove to be a critical factor in this highly competitive market. Certain segments, including operating room monitors and critical care unit monitors, will experience growth even as other segments attain greater maturity.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.patientmonitoring.frost.com), Eastern European High Acuity Areas Monitoring Systems Markets, finds that the markets earned revenues of $160.4 million in 2007 and estimates this to reach $261.6 million in 2014.
“Patient monitoring systems, especially those in high acuity areas, are very well developed and have become an indispensable part of hospitals across Europe,” notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Gideon V. Praveen Kumar. “Rising awareness among medical professionals of the multiple benefits of such coupled with the increasing incidence of diseases is driving market expansion.”
Despite certain segments being on a course of high growth, the patient monitoring systems markets overall are at a mature phase. This is characterised by high replacement rates and low volume sales. As a result of high replacement rates, greater importance is being placed on the maintenance and service of these systems.
“The high acuity cluster, which includes the emergency department (ED), the operating room (OR), and intensive care units (ICU), is the fastest-growing area of the hospital,” remarks Kumar. “Already representing up to 60 per cent of a hospital’s costs and revenues, high acuity care will continue to grow as baby boomers age.”
Hospitals across Europe and the United States are adding more monitored critical care beds and are performing an increasing number of surgical procedures. In addition, ED visits have risen by more than 20 per cent in the last decade.
Manufacturers that produce low-cost monitors can build strategic alliances with other medical equipment manufacturers, including manufacturers of anaesthesia machines, ventilators and diagnostic equipment. This is because hospitals prefer to buy products as a package that typically come with lower price tags.
“Market leaders have a range of products, which they can bundle and sell at a cheaper price,” explains Kumar. “Hence, a partnership will help overcome this hurdle, and will benefit both manufacturers in the alliance.”
Besides, low-cost manufacturers can actively co-operate with technology vendors such as IT companies, both to acquire software solutions for patient monitors as well as to offer bundled products. Thus, an alliance with hardware and IT vendors will be economically fruitful and also enable low-cost manufacturers to effectively compete with their larger competitors.
If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users and other industry participants with an overview of the Eastern European high acuity areas monitoring systems markets, then send an e-mail to Katja Feick, Corporate Communications, at katja.feick@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.
Eastern European High Acuity Areas Monitoring Systems Markets is part of the Patient Monitoring Growth Partnership Services Programme, which also includes research in the following markets: European Telemetry Monitoring Equipment Markets, European Market for Disposable Pressure Transducers and Central Venous Catheters and European Market for Non Invasive Ventilation and Associated Airway Management Devices. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.
Frost & Sullivan has expanded its flagship Global Congress on Corporate Growth – GIL Global – into several major cities around the world including London. For the first time ever in Europe, Frost & Sullivan will be hosting the Growth, Innovation and Leadership Congress ‘GIL 2009: Europe’ on 19-20 May, at the Sofitel St James in London. GIL Global is the industry’s only event designed to support senior executives in their efforts to achieve sustainable, top-line growth. To register, obtain a programme agenda, explore sponsorship opportunities, or attend as a member of the media for GIL 2009: Europe, please contact Katja Feick, Corporate Communications Europe, at katja.feick@frost.com. One-on-One interviews with Frost & Sullivan senior growth consultants are also being scheduled. For more information you can also visit http://www.frost.com/gilglobal
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company’s TEAM Research, Growth Consulting and Growth Team Membership™ empower clients to create a growth-focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents. For more information about Frost & Sullivan’s Growth Partnership Services, visit http://www.frost.com.
Frost & Sullivan
Making Prostate Cancer Matter, UK
Making Prostate Cancer Matter – Survey Reveals That Majority Of People Unaware That Men Diagnosed With The Most Common Cancer Subject To Injustice
People across the UK are still unaware that men living with prostate cancer – the most common cancer in men – continue to have to deal with the ‘historical legacy of neglect’ surrounding the disease.
It is a little known fact that men diagnosed with the disease report the worst NHS experience of all common cancers. A recent survey carried out for The Prostate Cancer Charity, in the run up to its first ever awareness month, showed that 80% of people remained unaware of the inequality of care for men with prostate cancer.
The Prostate Cancer Charity is using the month of March to raise awareness, not just of prostate cancer, but of some of the inequities surrounding the disease, under the banner, ‘it matters’.
John Neate, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: “People are not aware of some of the injustice around prostate cancer, which has suffered from a historical legacy of neglect. Long term underfunding of prostate cancer research, for example, has resulted in many unanswered questions about testing, treatments and care. We also know that men with prostate cancer report the worst NHS experience of all common cancers, often missing out on access to reliable support and information.
“The Government and NHS have placed an increased focus on prostate cancer, but urgent action is needed to implement its planned new programme to measure patient satisfaction, introduced through the Cancer Reform Strategy. Only then, can we see whether this increased focus is feeding through to convincing improvements in men’s experience.
“Progress on reducing deaths from prostate cancer is firmly linked to the research agenda. Critically important is the need to develop a new generation test capable of distinguishing between aggressive and slow-growing forms of prostate cancer. This could form the basis for a national screening programme and would enable treatment to be focussed on those men for whom prostate cancer presents a serious risk to health. The Charity will undertake a number of actions to progress this, including lobbying for increased research into a new diagnostic test and prostate cancer prevention, as well as investing more in its own research programme.”
PR Consultant, Max Clifford, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer himself, is supporting the awareness month. He said: “My own battle with prostate cancer, which is the most common cancer in men, showed me that much needs to be done to raise awareness of the prevalence and impact of the disease and its potential signs and symptoms, so that men can seek help early. It is also critical that more is invested in research, that credible information is made available for the 35,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer every year and that their experience of treatment improves. This type of cancer affects more men in Britain than any other and that is why Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is so important.”
The survey, carried out by Tickbox.net on behalf of the Charity, also underlined men’s attitude to their health, with only 50% of British men saying they would visit the doctor if they were experiencing symptoms affecting an intimate part of their body. More than one in ten would prefer to sit tight, worry, and hope the symptoms will just go away. Responses also revealed that one in five men are more likely to confide in a partner or a close friend about an intimate illness than visit their doctor. Worryingly, 13% of British men will only visit a doctor after they’ve been coerced into it by their partners, friends or family.
John Neate explained: “The good news is that more people are becoming aware of just how common prostate cancer is. We have been trying to raise awareness of how many men and their families are affected – one in eleven men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime – and it looks as though that message is hitting home.
“We want to mobilise a movement for change in the UK in tackling prostate cancer. We can only do this when everyone is prepared to take some form of action – to donate their time, skills, support campaigns, raise funds and help raise awareness. I hope people will take the facts on board and do what they can to support Prostate Cancer Awareness Month,” added Neate.
The theme of injustice is rooted in the Charity’s newly-released strategy, ‘Transforming the future for prostate cancer’. The strategy outlines five key goals, which the Charity believes will bring about the vital changes we must see for people affected by prostate cancer by 2020.
INTERVIEWS are available with John Neate and Max Clifford on request.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: Fact Box
– The Prostate Cancer Charity is staging its first ever Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, in March 2009. Extending the well-established Awareness Week to a month is an exciting development for The Prostate Cancer Charity, and reflects significant growth within the Charity and the event, which has grown year on year.
– Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. The 2005 National Audit Office report, “Tackling cancer: improving the patient journey”, showed that men living with prostate cancer report the worst NHS experience of all common cancers. During Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, The Prostate Cancer Charity is urging people to show ‘it matters’ to them.
– The Prostate Cancer Charity aims to reduce the death rate from prostate cancer by 30 per cent, from 25 per 100,000 to 18 per 100,000, by 2020. This would save the lives of around 3,000 men every year. Progress on reducing the mortality rate is firmly linked to the research agenda and the need to develop a new generation test capable of distinguishing between aggressive and slow-growing forms of prostate cancer.
– Thousands of individuals and groups across the UK will join forces to show that raising awareness of prostate cancer matters to them. There are numerous ways to get involved, from staging an information day to participating in a pub quiz, to raising funds.
– Anyone wanting to participate in Prostate Cancer Awareness Month can request an information pack from prostatecancermatters@prostate-cancer.org.uk or by calling 0208 222 7141
Notes
– Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK. Every year in the UK, 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. One man dies every hour of prostate cancer in the UK.
– African Caribbean men are three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men.
– The Prostate Cancer Charity is striving for a world where lives are no longer limited by prostate cancer. The Charity is fighting prostate cancer on every front – through research, support, information and campaigning.
– If you have any queries about prostate cancer, call The Prostate Cancer Charity’s confidential Helpline 0800 074 8383 which is staffed by specialist nurses and open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and Wednesdays from 7 – 9pm or visit http://www.prostate-cancer.org.uk
Prostate cancer
A Smoke Free Family, UK
It affects everyone around you but most of all, smoking has the biggest impact on your own health. Today’s teenagers and children seem more aware than their parents of the increased risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer and other health problems that smoking brings and many worry about their parents. National No Smoking Day on 11 March is the perfect opportunity for you to quit smoking and help your family become smoke-free.
– Get ready – clear out and bin the ash trays, clean the house and soft-furnishings to get rid of the chemicals and the tobacco smell.
– As your taste buds and sense of smell re-awaken, you will enjoy food better, so go for colourful fruit and vegetables and healthy snacks to give your body, skin and arteries a vitamin, mineral and antioxidant boost.
– With the money you save, plan a trip or holiday for the whole family to celebrate your achievement.
– Make quitting a family affair – get the support and encouragement of your loved ones to overcome the cravings and initial frustrations. Remind yourself how much their health is gaining from no more passive smoking.
– You are four times more likely to succeed with the help of health professionals, so contact your local NHS Stop Smoking Service. Visit http://www.smokefree.nhs.uk or call 0800 0224332 for friendly help and advice.
It can be done: one-fifth of people in England are ex-smokers, so spring clean your home and body, ditch the burden of tobacco chemicals that’s weighing you and your family down. Get the whole family involved in helping you to make your home and your hearts smoke-free.
Heart Research UK
Gay Men Urged To ‘Act Fast’ With PEP, UK
On 4 March Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is launching a PEP campaign, urging gay men in London to ‘Act Fast’ with PEP (post exposure prophylaxis). PEP is a month long course of HIV treatment that may prevent HIV infection after the virus has entered the body. The faster it’s taken after someone has put themselves at risk, the more likely it will work.
Although knowledge of PEP is increasing, the Gay Men’s Sex Survey 2007 showed that half of gay men had still never heard of PEP and many who had heard of it weren’t sure how, when or where to get it.
PEP can cause side effects including diahorrea, nausea and severe headaches. It is not a substitute for condoms but may be able to prevent HIV infection if taken soon enough after exposure to HIV.
Tom took PEP after a night out on the scene, “I ended up sleeping with a guy who didn’t use a condom. I’d told him to put one on but didn’t check and realised too late that he hadn’t. It was a Friday evening so I went to A & E as I knew that GUM clinics would be closed. The side-effects were pretty awful, I got headaches, terrible diarrhoea and experienced uncontrollable mood swings. I finished the course – it was a big commitment – and now I’m just waiting to see if it’s actually worked. It was great to have a fall-back against HIV but in future I’d much rather be stricter about using condoms, it just isn’t worth it.”
The new campaign will run for twelve weeks. There will be adverts in the gay press, posters in gay venues and outreach work taking place across London.
Marc Thompson, Deputy Head of Health Promotion at Terrence Higgins Trust said “It’s essential we continue to raise awareness of PEP and the circumstances when it’s likely to be prescribed. It’s definitely not a substitute for condoms but if men have put themselves at risk they should act fast. 72 hours is the outer limit but the sooner you can take it, the better.”
The PEP campaign has been funded by the Pan London HIV Prevention Partnership. Gay men bisexual men can find out more about PEP by visiting http://www.gmfa.org.uk/pep or calling the gay men’s sexual health helpline on 0207 998 4161.
Notes
– Tom’s real name has not been used to protect his identity.
– Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s largest HIV and sexual health charity with centres across England, Scotland and Wales. We’re here to provide information and advice about HIV and sexual health and offer a range of services including sexual health checks, counselling and support groups. We campaign for a world where people with HIV live healthy lives, free from prejudice and discrimination and we promote good sexual health as a right and reality for all. Terrence Higgins Trust relies on donations to deliver a wide range of services. To make a donation, visit http://www.tht.org.uk
Terrence Higgins Trust
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