Cheadle MP Signs Parliamentary Motion to help make prostate cancer matter

4.15.28pm GMT Tue 24th Mar 2009

Mark is supporting the work of the Prostate Cancer Charity

Cheadle MP, Mark Hunter, has shown his commitment to driving vital improvements to the experience of men living with prostate cancer.

Mr Hunter was among a growing number of politicians who signed an early day motion congratulating The Prostate Cancer Charity for launching the 'It Matters' campaign, which highlights some of the inequities surrounding the disease, during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. By backing the motion, MPs also called on Government to implement its planned surveys, which will help track patient experience as part of monitoring the quality of care provided. Men diagnosed with prostate cancer report the worst NHS experience of all common cancers*.

They also called for more investment in research to find a 'new generation test' capable of forming the basis of a national screening programme for prostate cancer.

Mark Hunter said: "Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and is a disease which kills one man every hour in the UK. It is vital that we join together to help make prostate cancer matter and address the injustice men living with the disease can face."

John Neate, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: "I would like to thank mark Hunter MP for showing his support for the motion. We want to mobilise a movement for change in the UK in tackling prostate cancer, we can only do this when everyone with an interest in prostate cancer is prepared to take some form of action. By signing the motion, Mr Hunter is making a clear commitment to helping us ensure prostate cancer remains firmly on the agenda and that we see vital improvements to men's experience of the disease implemented.

"Urgent action is needed to implement the Government's planned new programme to measure patient satisfaction, introduced through the Cancer Reform Strategy. The need to develop a new generation test capable of distinguishing between aggressive and slow-growing forms of prostate cancer is also critically important. Only then will we really address the 'historical legacy of neglect' and long term underfunding which has led to many unanswered questions about testing, treatments and care and, in many cases, men missing out on reliable support and information."

A recent survey, carried out by Tickbox.net on behalf of The Prostate Cancer Charity to time with its first ever awareness month, showed that 80% of people remained unaware of the inequality of care for men with prostate cancer. It is using the awareness month to raise awareness not just of the disease, but of some of the injustice surrounding prostate cancer under the banner 'it matters'.

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 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.

*According to a National Audit Office survey, Tackling Cancer: Improving The Patient Journey, published in 2005.