Prostate Cancer Research

[Toughie]

Prostate Cancer Research. Transforming research, transforming lives.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed male cancer in the UK, with an average of 130 people diagnosed every day. Globally, an average of 1.3 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. Caught early, prostate cancer is treatable and unlikely to cause problems - most men die with prostate cancer rather than from prostate cancer.

However, it is when prostate cancer spreads that it becomes significantly more dangerous and effective treatments are needed.  The way prostate cancer is currently treated brings physical and mental side-effects.  The disease cuts too many lives short and steals away precious time.  The unfortunate truth is that over 13,000 men died from prostate cancer in the UK in 2018, and this number is predicted to increase by 59% to 20,922 in 2035. Yet funding for prostate cancer, particularly advanced stage, is limited and decreasing. Between 2016/17 and 2017/18 there was a 13.5% decrease in money spent on prostate cancer in the UK, and prostate cancer receives only 8% of the funding spent on specific cancer sites. Patients urgently need breakthrough treatments, and research is the only way to turn this hope into a reality.

That is where Prostate Cancer Research (PCR) takes pole position on the track to improving patient’s lives. We focus on funding research into new treatments and gaining a deeper scientific understanding of the disease, particularly on the cancer’s more advanced stages – where there is no cure. PCR exists to add years to life, and life to years for patients and families. Our aim finish line is a future where people are free from the impact of prostate cancer, and we won’t rest until we achieve this.

When you think about it, racing and medical research offer a few similarities.  Nigel Mansell’s personal assessment was absolutely relevant to PCR when he said, ‘I think life is full of challenges…It's not a bed of roses, and you have to work real hard at it’.  We also believe that to perform at your best takes skill, passion, commitment, innovative ideas, considered investment and funding. Both on and off the track, there are obstacles and challenges, and a successful team must overcome these to succeed.  PCR’s skills and experiences are as focused as a successful racing team – our ultimate goal is winning the race to save and improve lives.

PCR funds innovative scientists with bold and exciting ideas and who work collaboratively to achieve results.  We fund projects that fill gaps in scientific knowledge, with, so they have an targeted impact on the entire medical research field. Our world-class scientists are dedicated to creating innovative brand new treatments with the potential to reduce the side-effects, dramatically cut the cost of treatment and, ultimately, to change the outcome for whole families men. We know that we can make a real difference to the lives of people affected by prostate cancer.

The patients’ voice is at the heart of our work. We put prioritise understanding the needs and wishes perspectives of patients and their families first, and involve them directly in our decision-making. This guarantees that our research is relevant to those to whom it matters most. If we act now, the next generation of men won’t have to fear a prostate cancer diagnosis.

This is where we need your help: our fundraisers are the beating heart of our charity and we could not continue our vital work without their support. We are a small charity with big ambition, consistently increasing the number of projects we fund to help patients sooner. Currently we fund 11 research projects, but are determined to fund over 20 by 2022. By fundraising for PCR, you can help us to achieve this vision and ensure that we can continue to finance innovative research, support talented scientists who can with the vision to change the future, and help deliver breakthrough medicines and treatments.

We would love to welcome you all to #TeamPCR, and work together to fund the research that will ultimately save and improve lives. The Lotus Seven Club can With the flexibility to decide where your fundraising goes, such as supporting a specific project, you can makeing a real difference to the lives of people with prostate cancer.

On behalf of PCR’s scientists and patient supporters, we would like to thank you for considering our vital and essential cause.

You can find out more about us at:-

https://www.prostate-cancer-research.org.uk/

 

 

[bob-the-b]

My vote, as having recovered from prostate cancer

[ECR]

Cancer research (of all types) needs al the help we can give it. Too many members here have suffered in one form or another

You know where my vote for club charity support will go.....

[leemraymentaol.co.uk]

Prostate Cancer defo gets my vote. Having recovered from it very recently, but I also know people who are suffering very badly from it.  I know the issues it can cause, but the benefits that can be gained from early detection. Well worth the charity vote. 

[420R]

My vote for this cause please.

[SM25T]

Got my vote

[Toughie]

.

[Jonathan Kay]

NB date.

I've just received from the Club notice of the petition:

Enough is enough. The time for action is now. Sign our petition calling for prostate cancer screening to be a national priority.

It doesn't include or link to the evidence for or against screening asymptomatic men. This is unfortunate as it is not at all clear that screening would do more good than harm.

Here are the current statements on screening from the National Screening Committee and Cancer Research UK:

And here's some of the recent research, summarised by Prostate Cancer UK.

And here's the new UK trial: "Biggest prostate cancer screening trial in decades to start in UK".

I don't think that it's helpful to politicise this and I won't be signing this petition.

Jonathan

(I spent a lot of my career designing, implementing and evaluating screening programmes, but not this one.)

[Englishmaninwales]

Indeed. I replied to the email earlier today expressing a similar view.

Malcolm

[SLR No.77]

I realise you are both medically trained (etc), but why would you resist the concept of a national screening program for prostate cancer?

I believe you are applying old invasive testing technology as a reason not to support a screening program, but in time there will be new testing methods that carry less risk, but why would we wait for the appropriate test before applying pressure on Parliament?

Agreement from government will not happen overnight but it would be a positive step forward in readiness for a suitable test being available. I simply cannot agree with your stance on this, unless you convince me otherwise?

Stu.

[Jonathan Kay]

On 23/03/2024 at 22:55, SLR No.77 said:

I realise you are both medically trained (etc), but why would you resist the concept of a national screening program for prostate cancer?

I believe you are applying old invasive testing technology as a reason not to support a screening program, but in time there will be new testing methods that carry less risk, but why would we wait for the appropriate test before applying pressure on Parliament?

Agreement from government will not happen overnight but it would be a positive step forward in readiness for a suitable test being available. I simply cannot agree with your stance on this, unless you convince me otherwise?

I have no objection to the concept. The problem is advocating the implementation before we know that such a program would do more good than harm. Or the details of how the programme would operate.

Yes, there will be advances that could swing the argument. And there are encouraging signs in both detection and treatment. And there's the big UK trial as above.

The appropriate rôle of government is to make sure there is a body such as the National Screening Committee that keeps this under review. And there already is and they already are.

Jonathan