Vivienne Parry Writer and Broadcaster
Professor Paul Forster Chairman, The Prostate Cancer Charity
Vivienne Parry: Good morning everybody. Now how many of you were here last year, at the first Prostate Cancer Conference? (show of hands) Right, for those of you - you already know that you're going to have a good time. For the rest of you, this is going to be a great day!
Now this is an incredibly exciting week for prostate cancer. On Monday it was the launch of the second phase for the Prostate Cancer Charter for Action Group. It was a great day, lots of parliamentarians. And I remember when I chaired this conference last year saying that there was a window which had opened and this was the moment for prostate cancer to shine. And actually I think that you are taking advantage of that window of opportunity right now. I think it's great times for all of you and I think finally you are seeing prostate cancer move on ahead.
And we've got a fantastic day for you today. We've got some very popular things from last year - that popular combo of Roger Kirby and Malcolm Mason. Very well known and very popular indeed, back by acclaim and demand. And we've got lots of activities outside for you, including, "Are You a Master Blaster?" Now I was very worried to find this in the ladies loo. I was also worried by the music that was playing in the ladies. Does music play in the men's by the way? There is music being played, and it was "Mars, God of War" from the Planets. I don't want to feel that there is a gender race going on here but that's for later.
So the Prostate Cancer Charter. I wanted to show you what had happened, and in particular, how the leaders of the political parties have now taken up the cause of prostate cancer. It wasn't on their horizon three years ago when the Charter began, it is now.
So now let me introduce you to that well known broadcaster Mr John Humphreys. Cue John Humphreys..
(video footage) John Humphreys: The Prostate Cancer Charter for Action has done a lot to raise political awareness of prostate cancer over the years. But there is still an awfully long way to go. More men get this cancer than any other and yet very few of us even know what the prostate does. As in all cancers, patients who are diagnosed earlier have a much greater range in options for treatment which is why it is so important that we should recognise the possible symptoms and get advice as soon as possible. That can happen only if we know more about the disease and that is why it's so important for politicians from all parties to come together and speak up in support of the Prostate Cancer Charters new calls for action.
(video footage) Charles Kennedy: One of the big challenges that strikes me for this parliament is that we've got to see marked improvements in the way in which prostate cancer care is actually delivered. Now the Charter for Action is a very important issue that strikes me, in working towards achieving that aim. And the big job for all of us right across the political spectrum is to encourage MPs, to argue parliamentary colleagues to speak up and speak out and join us all in support of the campaign.
(video footage) Michael Howard: Prostate cancer is a condition which could affect any man of my age. Yet despite this for many it is a taboo subject, awareness and understanding of the condition are low. So it is important that everything that can be done to increase awareness should be done. That's why I'm congratulating all the different organisations; voluntary organisations, patient organisations and others who've joined together to increase awareness of this condition. It's important particularly that all political parties and parliamentarians recognise the importance of prostate cancer and speak up, so that the needs of those who suffer from it are properly met.
(video footage) Tony Blair: Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the whole of the UK . So this is a major health issue and one which we are committed to tackling. I am pleased to say we've made a great deal of progress on this over the last few years in collaboration with the Prostate Cancer Charter for Action. We've established UK Prostate Link - the first comprehensive online source of information of its kind and a vital resource. And we've dedicated special research funds to improve our knowledge of the disease and how best to deal with it. However there is still a great deal more to be done. I am very much aware that levels of public understanding of prostate cancer could be higher and that some men still don't get the best treatment. So I look forward to the Government working closely with the Prostate Cancer Charter for Action in the years to come, to deliver further improvements so that all men with prostate cancer receive the very highest quality of care. Thank you.
Vivienne Parry: I think it's a real achievement for prostate cancer to have had that - all three leaders of the political parties speaking out on prostate cancer. Now they've done that, there is no turning back for them. They will have to move forward. And I think it shows you what collaboration can do. This was all of the prostate organisations working together. I wanted to thank, whilst everybody's here actually, the public affairs people that have managed to put all that together, which is AS Biss & Co. I think they've done a terrific job to get all those parliamentary supporters on board.
So that's an advert for the Charter over now. So let me introduce you to your main man - Paul Forster, Chairman of The Prostate Cancer Charity.
Professor Paul Forster: Main man, who didn't make it to the video. Good morning everyone. On behalf of The Prostate Cancer Charity I really want to extend a very big welcome to all of you. There are probably about 400 people here today, men with prostate cancer, their supporters, health care professionals, supporters of The Prostate Cancer Charity, and indeed our friends from the media and I'm sure I've missed somebody out. I hope you will take at least two things away from today's conference. There are very positive things happening that will and should improve the prospects and outcomes for men with prostate cancer.
But secondly they're not happening fast enough and they are not happening for enough of the people enough of the time, for any of us to be at all satisfied about the current state of progress. Albeit we are making good progress. Prostate cancer does not begin to match the quality of care and success that's been achieved for breast cancer. I think the evidence of the last week shows that we must carry on working effectively together to push prostate cancer further up the political and public agenda, and then to keep it there. The media coverage Vivienne has referred to that's been achieved earlier this week and the renewed Government attention for the second phase of the Prostate Cancer Charter for Action, really shows that we can make a big impact. But we need to do it more consistently.
I had a couple of very personal reasons for getting involved with The Prostate Cancer Charity some three years ago. Firstly I think there is a massive attitudinal and behavioural challenge involved in getting men to think and act more positively and proactively about their health. Their ignorance of even the most basic facts about prostate cancer is part of the problem but their pervasive instinct to go into denial about their health - especially when it's below the belt, is an even tougher issue.
The second reason is that some six years ago I was diagnosed with advanced and incurable prostate cancer. I was told the only real treatment option for me was hormone therapy, which had an average effectiveness period of about 2 years and a worse-case scenario of probably something as little as 6 months.
I'm still on hormone therapy - but some 5 years ago I was put in touch with a specialist qualified doctor who had specialised in helping through dietary changes and supplements to support the immune system.
Tests a couple of months ago showed that across the whole of the 6 years, I'd actually had no disease progression. This has enabled me to be accepted onto the latest generation of radiotherapy treatment called IMRT - so 6 years on from that original prognosis, my consultants are now offering significant healthy life extension and even talking about a possible cure.
Why am I telling you all this? Well, to send out a message. Sending out a message that you can beat the odds against this pernicious disease. So "Getting the Best Men", our conference mission, is a timely thought - but how often does it really happen? What is it really like for the average man in his experience of prostate cancer care in the NHS? What do men need to help them beat the conventional survival statistics?
Now we are going to invite you to take a look at the results of the biggest ever survey that's ever taken place in the UK , of its time. The Real Man's Prostate Cancer Journey. Thank you very much. Enjoy the day.