In The Press - Archive - 2006
December 10th
The Sunday Times: Lost in the cancer maze
Two of our trustees, Jonathan Waxman and Paul Forster, were interviewed for an article in The Sunday Times magazine. The article examines the evidence for and against complementary dietary regimens as a treatment for prostate cancer.
December 9th
BBC News Online: Aspirin 'blocks prostate problem'
Aspirin and other similar painkillers may halve the risk of developing an enlarged prostate, research suggests. Dr Chris Hiley, our head of policy and research, is quoted extensively in the article.
December 4th
Yorkshire Post: A life and death issue for the NHS
Roger Taylor, a research director for Dr Foster, the agency commissioned by Channel 4 Dispatches to produce their postcode lottery website, has written an opinion piece about the programme broadcast last week.
December 1st
Very sadly Colin Cramphorn, former Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, died yesterday from prostate cancer aged 50. He has been an outspoken advocate of the cause of prostate cancer and did a great deal to raise awareness of the disease throughout West Yorkshire. All our thoughts and sympathies are with his family.
BBC News: West Yorkshire police chief dies
Leeds Today: Yorkshire mourns a quiet hero
Yorkshire Post: Former Chief Constable loses cancer battle
November 29th
Dispatches Programme, Channel 4, 8pm, 27 November 2006
David Powell, a supporter of The Prostate Cancer Charity, was featured in this Channel 4 Dispatches programme on Britain’s healthcare lottery. David, 54, was filmed during his campaign to make low-dose brachytherapy available to all men in Wales. In his interview, he talked about having to resort to using the media to change the decision maker’s minds about his treatment for prostate cancer and the stress the five month wait has had on his life. The programme launched a new website, commissioned through Dr Foster intelligence, which offers a UK-wide assessment of the availability of treatment and services which is searchable by postcode.You can view it here.
November 26th
BBC online: Charity Annual Review gives a personal face to prostate cancer
Despite the fact that nearly 32,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in the UK, including Dundee United Chairman Eddie Thompson and racing driver Sir Stirling Moss, few people can put a face to the disease. Now The Prostate Cancer Charity is taking action and has joined forces with award-winning photographer Eamonn McCabe to raise the profile of a disease that kills one man every hour in the UK.
Read our Annual Review
November 14th
Radio 4: Am I normal?
"Is it normal for us to have cancer? Public opinion might be that cancer is abnormal, but medical professionals disagree. Testing and screening is becoming more sensitive, picking up abnormal cancerous cells that may never develop into a life threatening disease. In the first part of this Radio 4 series, Vivienne Parry talks to David Hillier and Clive Hilton, two supporters of The Prostate Cancer Charity who have been diagnosed with very different types of prostate cancer. Both discuss their treatments and impact their cancer diagnosis has had on their lives."
November 9th
The Sun: Cancer patients refused drug
"Earlier this year, David Rae was so ill with terminal cancer he could hardly get out of bed. But last month he completed an 80-mile charity bike ride — thanks in part to an NHS-approved chemotherapy drug called Taxotere. Now David, 57, from Northampton, is campaigning on behalf of thousands of other men who are denied the same medicine, which also reduces pain."
November 7th
The Daily Mail: How I beat the cancer sex divide
Earlier this year the Mail reported the shocking story of Bill and Val Elliott, who were diagnosed with cancer within an hour of each other - only for their subsequent treatment to expose appalling inequality in care for men and women. While Val started her treatment just four weeks later, Bill was told he was not going to receive the lifesaving therapy he needed. After we highlighted the 'titanic battle' men face for equality of care, Bill reveals how - against the odds - he finally won his fight for fair treatment...
November 3rd - National Prostate Cancer Conference
Our Chief Executive, John Neate, appeared on Nicky Campbell's Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Five Live to discuss the struggle for Taxotere funding. This was later followed by an interview with David Rae, a man with prostate cancer and one of our media talkers, and Professor Nick James. You can listen to both interviews as an MP3.
BBC Radio 4's Today programme picked up on our press release about Taxotere funding and ran a feature on the issue. You can listen to the feature as an MP3.
BBC Radio London also did an interview, this time with our Head of Policy and Research, Chris Hiley, and media talker Chris King. You can listen to the interview as an MP3.
The Telegraph: Men 'facing battle to get treatment for prostate cancer'
The Daily Mail: Men with prostate cancer face 'titanic battle' for treatment
BBC News Online: Patients 'denied prostate drug'
Mature Times: Prostate cancer patients "face titanic battle"
24dash.com: Prostate sufferers 'let down by NHS'
OnMedica: Some prostate cancer patients have to fight to get treatment
Netdoctor.co.uk: Prostate cancer patients face "titanic treatment battles"
We also used the conference to launch our fact sheet on Diet and Prostate Cancer, a story that was picked up by Politics.co.uk: The Prostate Cancer Charity launch fact sheet on diet.
October 26th
This is Somerset: Back in the saddle thanks to Helpline
"John Essex, 64, from Bishops Lydeard, Taunton is one of four men featured in the Prostate Cancer Charity's annual review. Like many, he was distressed - in his case, about side effects of a hormone therapy for prostate cancer."
Barry & District News: Grandfather believes cancer campaign will succeed
"Barry grandfather Dave Powell is confident the campaign to get funding for brachytherapy treatment for prostate cancer sufferers in Wales will eventually succeed."
October 19th
South Wales Argus: Cancer victim considers legal action
"A Gwent prostate cancer patient denied a type of treatment because of a recently introduced funding ban in Wales, may pursue legal action to try to force the NHS to pay."
Barry & District News: Dave takes prostate fight to the Senedd
"A Barry grandfather campaigning for men to have the right to a form of prostate cancer treatment took the fight to the Welsh Assembly yesterday, protesting outside the Senedd."
October 15th
Mature Times: Play YOUR part in raising prostate awareness
"The organisers of a major conference on prostate cancer are inviting MT Online readers to find out the facts on the disease this November. 'Growing financial pressures in the NHS are making it increasingly difficult to ensure that new ways of tackling prostate cancer - from awareness raising to research to NHS service delivery - are converted into practice across the UK,' says John Neate, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity."
October 13th
The Cumberland News: We can’t all afford to travel to London for treatment
"John Neate’s letter (The Cumberland News, October 6) is a wonderful invitation to all those affected by prostate cancer who live in Cumbria."
October 12th
Our Head of Policy and Research, Chris Hiley, appeared on the Anita Anand show on BBC Radio Five Live, to talk about Docetaxel and prostate cancer. You can hear the feature, which lasts approximately 10 minutes, by clicking one of the links below:
MP3 | Windows Media
October 10th
Barry & District News: Help win the fight for prostate cancer treatment
Campaigner Dave Powell, who fought for the right to have brachytherapy on the NHS has set up a phone line to help other men with prostate cancer in Wales to get it, if suitable.
October 8th
Cambridge Evening News: Sean's dad inspires charity cash run
"Sean Johnson lost his dad to prostate cancer at the end of May and is now hoping to raise as much money as possible for The Prostate Cancer Charity. He will take part in the Great Eastern Run in Peterborough on October 15, joined by father-in-law and brother-in-law, Steve and Stefan Lesik, and two friends, Tim Austen and Johnny Saunders."
October 5th
The Sun: Leave some cancers well alone
The Sun GP, Dr Keith Hopcroft writes a full page article on cancer awareness campaigns and is pictured wearing latex plastic gloves. John Neate, our Chief Executive, wrote a letter to the editor of The Sun in response:
Dear Editor,
Dr Keith Hopcroft’s article published in The Sun, Thursday, 5 October 2006, entitled: “Why you really don’t want me to do this…,” and arguing that: “most prostate cancers are harmless” and that “ignorance is bliss”, was hugely misleading.
Yes, many prostate cancers are harmless. Yes, current testing for prostate cancer is not good enough. Yes, it is difficult to tell reliably which prostate cancers will be “pussycats” and which “tigers” – but that’s no good reason for sticking our heads in the sand.
The fact is that 10,000 men lose their lives to prostate cancer in the UK each year and it is a significant danger to men over 50. It’s important that men find out more about their prostate, what can go wrong with it and put themselves in the driving seat in deciding what to do. At the same time, we need to act now to speed up the search for a more precise test which will distinguish between the “tigers” and the “pussycats”.
We need to get across accurate and reliable messages to give people the best chance of understanding and dealing with prostate cancer. I congratulate everyone who makes Breast Cancer Awareness Month such a success and I am calling on Sun readers to support us during Prostate Cancer Awareness Week (19-25 March 2007) because awareness campaigns do work. Men need to understand the risks associated with prostate cancer, the symptoms to look out for and how to find reliable help and support. Behaving like ostriches certainly won’t bring about the real change in men’s experiences of prostate cancer that they deserve.
Yours sincerely,
John Neate
Chief Executive
The Prostate Cancer Charity
October 4th
Halifax Evening Courier: Getting the improvements men deserve
The letters page printed our Chief Executive's call to readers to join us at this year’s National Prostate Cancer Conference.
October 2nd
South Wales Echo: Cancer patients vow to continue treatment fight
Two battling cancer sufferers have vowed to continue their fight for better treatment for cancer patients despite a setback from health chiefs. Campaigner Dave Powell and Jayne Sullivan, mother-of-two, took their protest to the National Assembly only to be told there was no money available.
September 29th
The York Press: The Great North Run
"Colin Wilson, 40, a police officer on the Firearms Support Unit in Tadcaster, is one of 140 runners supporting The Prostate Cancer Charity. He is running for his father, Brian, 70, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer 12 months ago. Colin will be joined by friends and five fellow firearms team members. He said: 'I'm used to working as part of a team on a daily basis and taking part in this event will be no different.'"
Nottingham Evening Post: Prostate line is now free
"A National helpline for people worried about prostate cancer is now free. The new freephone number is 0800 074 8383 and runs Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. The lines are also manned on Wednesdays from 7pm to 9pm. The Prostate Cancer Charity chief executive John Neate said: 'Thousands of men and women call the helpline every year to talk to a nurse or request our award-winning Tool Kit which explains different aspects of prostate cancer and its treatment. We hope that now the service is free we will be able to reach as many men as possible.'"
September 26th
The launch of our new free Helpline service garnered lots of press attention. Specialist Nurse Pat Cohen spoke to Saints FM, a commercial radio station which broadcasts across Hampshire, and ou Information Manager Debbie Clayton provided stats for the area to give them a local angle.
Head of Regional Development Officer, Lindsey Benister, went to the studio in Grey’s in road to speak to Glasgow radio station Real Radio for their news programme and was also interviewed by Prestwick radio station Q96.
Media talker and fundraiser Mick Burrow talked to the Eastbourne and Hastings radio station Arrow FM. Century FM, covering Newcastle, Gateshead, Durham, York, Middlesbrough and Northumberland interviewed media talker and check collector Bob Elliott on the ways in which the Helpline nurses have supported him with his prostate cancer.
John Essex, one of our Annual Review case studies, talked to Orchard FM in Taunton, Somerset and Specialist Nurse Georgia Diebel spoke to Gloucestershire based commercial station Star Radio and Birmingham's New Style radio for news items.
September 25th
Epping Forest Guardian : Pair's charity efforts
"A Buckhurst Hill woman whose family has been hit by prostate cancer has taken part in a 5km race to help fight the disease."
September 20th
BBC News online: Cancer man's Senedd NHS protest
A man fighting for prostate cancer patients in Wales to be offered the same treatment available in England has taken his campaign to the assembly. David Powell, one of our Media Talkers, was helped by Jayne Sullivan, who lobbied for the breast cancer drug, Herceptin, to be made available on the NHS. They displayed a giant version of a memo from Health Commission Wales (HCW) outside the Senedd debating chamber.
September 19th
Western Mail: Cancer patients unite in battle for drug fairness
"Grandfather Dave Powell and mother-of-two Jayne Sullivan, who are still receiving treatment for their cancers, are taking their protest to the National Assembly with a claim that Welsh patients are being victimised. Both are urging that cancer treatments and the drugs involved should be available to all patients who need them."
September 18th
The Japanese research into the relationship between cancer and work patterns has received widespread coverage.
Daily Mirror: Shift work increases cancer risk
BBC News online: Cancer linked to rotating shifts
Trade Arabia: Cancer linked to rotating shifts
September 13th
EurOhs: National Conference details released
"The Prostate Cancer Charity's third annual National Prostate Cancer Conference, 'Pioneers in Practice: From Innovation to Reality?' will take place on Friday 3rd November 2006 at the Olympia Conference Centre in London. The National Conference - the leading event of its kind - presents a unique opportunity for everyone with an interest in prostate cancer to meet to discuss the key issues facing the disease and its treatment in the UK."
You can read full details of our Third National Conference here.
September 8th
BBC News Online:
'Cycling helps me fight cancer'
"Four years ago, doctors gave David Hillier just two years to give after diagnosing him with advanced prostate cancer. Determined to fight the disease, David was willing to explore every radical and experimental treatment. And the hard work has paid off. Not only has David raised more than £250,000 for the Prostate Cancer Charity, but his cancer has been undetectable for almost a year now."
Bishops Stortford Citizen: Patient urges others to get prostate tests
"If you are a man over 50, make an appointment with your doctor to get a blood test, urges a man with prostate cancer. David Hawkins, 57, said he had regular blood tests because his father died of prostate cancer and his mother of breast cancer. Mr Hawkins' daughter Joanna, of Warner Road, Walthamstow, ran in this year's Hydro Active Women's Challenge 5km run in Hyde Park on Sunday with 20,000 others, completing the course in 34 mins to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Charity."
September 7th
Ellesmere Port Pioneer: Friend's death made Janice run
"Janice Peers, 37, participated in the annual Hydro Active Women's five kilometre run in Sefton Park, Liverpool, on Sunday. She was one of several women running to raise awareness of prostate cancer - the most common male cancer in the UK - and to support the Prostate Cancer Charity."
September 4th
Bright 106.4 FM
A news item reported the success of Sunday's Brighton Dawn Walk organised by Maureen Dickson. Our Lead Support and Information Nurse, Tania Ross was also interviewed and provided further information about the disease and possible symptoms. Hear the feature, which lasts approximately 2 minutes, in MP3 format.
September 3rd
BBC News Online: Widow walks for cancer sufferers
"More than 100 people braved wind and rain to walk 10km (6.2 miles) along Brighton seafront at dawn to raise money for prostate cancer sufferers. Sunday's walk was organised by Maureen Dickson, of Surrenden Road, Brighton, whose husband Mike died from the disease at the age of 66. The walk was the second organised in aid of The Prostate Cancer Charity. 'We raised nearly £4,000 last year and I hope it will be at least the same amount this time', she said."
September 1st
BBC Three Counties Radio - Katherine Boyle Show
Media talker Jeanette Chapman was interviewed about her decision to take part in the 5km Hydro Active Women's Challenge for us on Sunday 3 September. Jeanette explained that having lost her husband to prostate cancer in 1999, she wanted to do something to help other men affected by the disease. She encouraged listeners to be aware of the warning signs of prostate cancer and to contact our helpline as a source of further information.
August 31st
Aire FM
Chief Constable of West Yorkshire police, Colin Cramphorn, announced plans to retire in the New Year. In 2004 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and feels that his condition may begin to impact upon his duties. Debbie Clayton, our Information Manager, did an interview on the disease to go in their half hourly news bulletins. The story also appeared on BBC news Online as Police boss quits to fight cancer.
August 26th
BBC News Online: Cancer therapy denied due to cost
"The Prostate Cancer Charity said it had assurances that men in Wales could have brachytherapy, a type of radiotherapy. But Health Commission Wales (HCW) has confirmed it will not pay for the treatment due to its costs." Also:
BBC video coverage, featuring our Head of Policy and Research, Chris Hiley.
Western Mail: Male cancer U-turn dismays charity
World Network News: Cancer therapy denied due to cost
Wales on Sunday: Charity blasts treatment U-turn
August 24th
The Brighton Argus: Dawn Walk will help raise funds
"A Dawn Walk to raise funds for research into prostate cancer will be held again this year. The first event was organised by Maureen Dickson in memory of her husband Mike who died from the disease. It was so successful The Prostate Cancer Charity said it would help other fundraising societies such a Rotaries and Lions clubs organise their own versions of the walk around the country. She said: The whole aim of this walk is to raise awareness, to persuade more and more people to join in and to encourage people to talk openly about the disease. The Charity now has other Dawn Walks taking place across the country."
August 18th
South Wales Echo: Cancer victim to go to England
"A battling grandfather has won his long fight to receive special cancer treatment in England. Health officials, who have twice refused permission, have done a U-turn and given the go-ahead for David Powell, a media talker, to receive brachytherapy in Yorkshire. Mr Powell, 54, travels to Leeds next week bringing to an end his four-month campaign to get treatment for prostate cancer. Mr Powell, manager of a decorating company, has now been told he can have the treatment on August 25 at Cookridge Hospital in Leeds. 'I'm elated. It's been a long, hard fight. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January and recommended for brachytherapy in March. I'm pretty sure that if I hadn't put up a fight I wouldn't be receiving it.'"
August 10th
Bill and Val Elliot spoke to the Radio 4 programme You and Yours about their cancer diagnoses, which led into an interesting round table discussion of the issues raised. You can hear the feature, which lasts approximately 20 minutes, by clicking one of the links below:
Dialup MP3 | Broadband MP3 | Dialup Windows Media | Broadband Windows Media
August 7th
Farnham Today: Cancer campaigner wins the day in fight for treatment to be funded
Bill Elliott, a sports writer for The Observer, spoke out through local and national press and on the radio, after Guildford and Waverley Primary Care Trust turned him down for the treatment recommended by three consultants and his GP. After winning his fight for treatment he said: "I will continue, as one of my friends says, to be 'a useful nuisance', to support the work of The Prostate Cancer Charity in trying to get the politicians on board," said Mr. Elliot.
August 1st
icWales: Patients in dark over cancer treatment
Health Commission Wales are still under fire for their approach to provision of brachytherapy for men with prostate cancer. Our Chief Executive, John Neate, is quoted in this article about the issue.
July 31st
Bill and Val Elliot appeared on BBC News to talk about their cancer diagnoses and their different treatments. Our Chief Executive, John Neate, also contributed to the piece.
See the new item in Windows Media: Dialup quality | Broadband quality
July 30th
The Observer: Cancer sufferer wins battle for treatment
Prostate cancer sufferer Bill Elliott has finally won his battle to receive the treatment he needs, after his local primary care trust approved the funding. Elliott, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer on the same day that his wife, Val, found out she had breast cancer, has spent two months battling with the Guildford and Waverley PCT which initially said it would not pay for a course of brachytherapy.
July 21st
Western Gazette: Heatwave forces tractor driver to ditch record bid
Terry Williams, who was aiming to break the world record for the longest ever continuous tractor journey (15,000 miles) and raise money for us along the way, has abandoned his attempt because of the heatwave.
July 18th
The Daily Mail: Cancer - the great sex divide
Bill and Val Elliott's story was picked up by The Daily Mail, who ran a two page feature on their situation.
July 12th
The Observer (July 8th): Both have cancer. But why can't one get the best care?
Observer sports writer Bill Elliott was diagnosed with prostate cancer in April. Within an hour, his wife Val was told she had breast cancer. Now they have had to come to terms with the stark fact that her treatment has 10 times as much funding as his. Health Editor Jo Revill examines the human cost of NHS inequalities.
Bill and Val helped us raise awareness of prostate cancer by appearing on The Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2 to talk about their situation. You can listen to the interview in either MP3 or Windows Media formats:
Jeremy Vine Show interview - MP3 | Jeremy Vine Show - WMA
July 7th
All Together NOW!: Tour de Force: David's fight against prostate cancer
Coverage of David Hillier's cycling fundraising efforts.
July 6th
Western Gazette: Tractor is factor in world record bid
Read about the progress of Terry William's fundraising record attempt, which is covered on our Individual Fundraisers page.
July 3rd
The pomegranate juice story, and our response to it, has been widely covered:
BBC News Online: Juice 'can slow prostate cancer'
The Scotsman: Pomegranate juice 'helps to beat prostate cancer'
The Daily Mail: Pomegranate juice 'can help fight prostate cancer'
The Mirror: Pomegranate juice may be cancer weapon
The Mirror: The super fruit that kills cancer cells
The Tehran Times:
Juice can slow prostate cancer
June 30th
South Wales Echo: Cancer victim to fight new refusal
Media talker and campaigner Dave Powell is planning a new legal attack on health officials who are refusing him cancer treatment. The grandfather, who has been recommended for the treatment by two leading prostate cancer experts, has been turned down by a special Welsh health panel, without explanation.
June 28th
The NICE recommendation on docetaxel received lots of coverage, with our response to the news being prominently featured.
The Mirror: Prostate Lifeline
The Guardian: New drug extends life of prostate cancer victims
The Daily Mail: Prostate cancer drug cleared for free use
In The News: New hope for prostate cancer sufferers
BBC News Online: NHS green light for prostate drug
Net Doctor: New hope for prostate cancer sufferers
June 19th
icWales: Patient refused lifesaving treatment
Media talker and campaigner David Powell has been refused brachytherapy funding for a second time - just a week after other patients were told they could have it.
June 16th
On July 16th our Community Manager, Ali Orhan, appeared on Black Britain radio and talked to Tania Shillam about prostate cancer in the african caribbean community. You can hear the interview in Windows Media (1mb) or download the interview as an MP3 (3mb).
icWales: Agonising wait for cancer man
Our media talker David Powell, whose fight for brachytherapy recieved so much coverage over the last few weeks, is still waiting to know if he has been successful. The latest twist in the tale is recounted by icWales.
Chippenham Herald & Gazette: Bikers trek to island
Cyclists Dave Wallis, Matthew Jenkins, Mark Johnson and Mark Hancock are to cycle 200 miles in just three days in aid of The Prostate Cancer Charity.
June 12th
BBC Radio 4's PM Programme interviewed Simon Luetkemeier, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer as a result of hearing the Ricky Gervais ad on the programme last September. Simon has made a good recovery from his surgery and went on the programme to express his gratitude. Listen to the interview as an MP3 file (2mb) or listen in Windows Media (370kb).
icWales: Prostate patients still fight bureaucracy
Men diagnosed with localised prostate cancer may not have automatic access to an alternative treatment to surgery, even after the NHS has decided to fund it. Media talker and campaigner David Powell was interviewed about his on-going fight for brachytherapy funding.
June 10th
More 4 - Snowmail
Jon Snow travels to meet David Powell, a Welshman campaigning for a prostate cancer treatment to be available in Scotland and England, but not in his homeland of Wales. You can see video of this feature at the more 4 website.
June 8th
icWales: Hundreds of urgent Welsh cancer cases awaiting treatment
Our Chief Executive, John Neate, is extensively quoted in this article in icWales, which addresses the issue of waiting lists in Wales.
Manchester Evening News: Poignant ride to help veterans
An amateur cyclist has completed a charity bike ride in memory of the victims of The Great War. Mr Nigel Petrie, who has cycled 8,000 miles and raised £80,000 with Mr Vince for the Macmillan Fund, Help the Hospices and the Prostate Cancer Charity, said it was the toughest ride he has embarked on.
June 6th
Our Chief Executive, John Neate, was interviewed by Bridge FM, a Welsh radio station, about the Health Commission Wales's decision to stop funding brachytherapy treatment for people who live in Wales.
June 5th
Our Chief Executive, John Neate, was interviewed by Red Dragon Radio about the Health Commission Wales's decision to stop funding brachytherapy treatment for people who live in Wales. Listen in Windows Media (78kb)
June 4th
The Health Commission Wales's decision to stop funding brachytherapy treatment for people who live in Wales provedextremely controversial. Our Chief Executive, John Neate, was quoted in much of the media coverage.
BBC News Online: Cancer therapy 'lottery' claim
The Sunday Times: NHS refuses to fund new prostate therapy for men
Channel 4 News interviewed TPCC Media talker and campaigner David Powell about his on-going fight for brachytherapy funding. You can see video of the report on the Channel 4 website.
David Powell was also interviewed on BBC Radio, and you can hear the interview here.
June 2nd
Herts & Essex News: 'Bling it on', says mayor
Restoring community spirit and celebrating the talents of our young people are the aims of Bishop's Stortford's new mayor Ken Armstrong. The lifelong Stortfordian said it was a great honour to wear the mayoral chain, which he calls his "bling", and has put re-establishing neighbourly values at the top of his agenda. He has chosen The Prostate Cancer Charity and Isabel Hospice in Welwyn Garden City as his nominated charities.
June 1st
The Nursing Standard writes:
Charities say moves by some trusts to make specialist nurses redundant are short-sighted and will result in long-term problems. The Prostate Cancer Charity head of research and policy Chris Hiley said: ‘Patients want a high standard of care. We know they receive that and better patient outcomes through specialist nurses. A general nurse will be able to care but they will not have the same capacity and experience.’ Redundancies would only ease financial pressures for the short term, she argued. ‘In the long term the specialist skills of these nurses will be lost. If these posts go, the nurses will not hang around and wait to be hired again when the trust has more money. The skills will be lost forever.’
May 25th
When the Institute of Cancer Research released details of research into the benefits of radical treatment for prostate cancer Chris Hiley, our Head of Policy and Research, was widely quoted in media coverage of the research's implications.
BBC Breakfast: watch a discusion of treatment vs monitoring (requires Real player)
BBC News Online: Prostate therapy benefits doubted
The Guardian: Study warns of prostate cancer therapy risks
The Daily Mail: Prostate patients 'have needless surgery'
Which: Warning over 'unnecessary' prostate surgery
Trade Arabia: Prostate therapy benefits doubted
May 24th
The story about the Icelandic research team's genetic breakthrough was picked up by The Voice, which also reported our response to the findings.
Prostate cancer gene research offers new hope
May 22nd
Ali Orhan, Community Involvement Manager for our African Caribbean project gave an interview to Black Britain that touches on his awareness work, the signs and symptoms pf prostate cancer, and the Benjamin Zephaniah play that we have commissioned.
May 17th
The website for European Occupational Health and Safety has run a story about the launch of our sign language video.
Find out more about the BSL Guide to the Prostate Gland.
May 15th
Two articles relating to us appear in the latest edition of Third Sector. In the first they provide an overview of our Finance and Governance, and in the second our Chief Executive, John Neate, contributes to a discussion on advertising changes in the wider charity sector. You can read both pieces by cliking the links below.
Finance and Governance - The Numbers - The Prostate Cancer Charity
Opinion: Hot issue - Is charity advertising going through a change?
May 3rd
Nutraingredients.com reports on yet more research that seems to indicate that lycopene intake can help protect against Prostate Cancer. Our Head of Policy and Research, Chris Hiley, contributed a comment on the research to the article. More support for lycopene protection against prostate cancer.
May 1st
Andy Ripley, former England Rugby International player, talked to Radio 5 Live about his diagnosis of prostate cancer and his role as a judge of our Real Man Photo Competition. The discusion then moved on to what defines a Real Man. The whole extract lasts 23 minutes.
Listen to Andy Ripley in MP3 format (7mb) | Listen to Andy Ripley in Windows Media format (3.5mb)
Flora London Marathon Coverage
Semi-retired Suffolk GP Dr Mac Speake was running the race for the 26th time, having completed every London Marathon since it began in 1981. Dr Speake, 64, from Kettlebaston, near Ipswich, who was raising money for the Prostate Cancer Charity, finished the race in just under four hours. Full story at BBCi. Dr Speake's story was also picked up by The Ipswich Evening Star and The East Anglian Daily Times.
Bury Free Press reports that Simon Scott from Horringer ran the marathon in memory of work colleague Joe Witherup, who suffered from prostate cancer from the age of 59 and who died last September. He was raising money for the Prostate Cancer Charity. Full story.
The Castle Point Echo ran a piece on Paul Kneeshaw who ran the marathon in memory of his grandfather, Ken, who died of the disease in December. You can see the article here.
April 19th
Our Information Manager Debbie Clayton is quoted on a story on BBC News Online which reports that saw palmetto has no effect on men with prostate conditions. The same story has been picked up by The Tehran Times.
April 18th
Research, partly conducted online, seems to demonstrate that men and women with cancer look for information about the disease in very different ways. You can read our coverage here. The story has been picked up by BBC News Online, and on this page you can see video of our Chief Executive, John Neate, discussing the issues raised on BBC Breakfast. The Tehran Times have also carried coverage.
April 12th
A new study of almost 1300 men with prostate cancer has found they were 50 per cent more likely to have had high cholesterol levels than a similar number of men without the cancer. You can read our coverage here. You can read further details of the research in this article from BBC News Online, and this piece in the New Zealand Herald. The story has also been picked up by The Daily Mirror, The Times, The Telegraph, The Guardian, Lifestyle Extra, Yahoo News India, netdoctor.co.uk, Foodnavigator.com, The Tehran Times, Earthtimes.
April 10th
Today Tesco are launching a new tomato which they claim contains up to twice the normal level of lycopene. Some research has suggested that consumption of lycopene, an antioxidant, may lower the risk of prostate cancer. You can read our coverage here. You can read further information on the launch in pieces from The Sun, The Daily Mail, BBC News Online, R.xPG News, NetIndia123, Datamonitor.
April 5th
Third Sector reports on the failure of charities to effectively target ethnic minorities, but the editor of The Voice singles out our African Caribbean Project for praise. Read the piece here.
March 25th
"Employees at Plymouth Citybus have been finding out the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer as part of a special awareness week." This is Plymouth.
March 24th
"Mid and West Wales Firefighters are backing the national prostate cancer campaign. They have thrown their weight behind The Prostate Cancer Charity's fight to urge men to get checked out." This is South Wales.
Lindsey Bennister, our Head of Regional Development, spoke to BCRfm about Awareness Week and local fundraising efforts. You can hear the piece as an MP3.
March 23rd
On BBC Radio Wales our media talker Christine Hill, who has tragically lost two husbands to prostate cancer, spoke about her experience and the importance of raising awareness.
Tommy Banner writes in the Western Daily Press that prostate cancer is a subject close to his heart and mentions Prostate Cancer Awareness Week. The Yorkshire Post reports the findings of the ICM Poll and the launch of the MFI competition. The Bradford Telegraph and Argus mentions local events that are being held during Awareness Week and advice from Brian Thurling who underwent a radical prostatectomy. The Keighley News also features Brian and mentions a local pub holding a quiz as part of the Real Man campaign. The Edinburgh Evening News features David Wright who talks about having advanced prostate cancer and also draws attention to the start of Awareness Week. The Bognor Regis Observer mentions a concert being held to raise money for prostate cancer research during Awareness Week.
March 22nd
In Nursing Standard our Helpline Nurses, Suresh Rambaran, is profiled in a 2 page feature.
Third Sector, the newspaper of the charity sector, features an analysis of our pre-Awareness Week fundraising drive.
On Saturday Our Head of Policy and Research, Chris Hiley, was interviewed on Sky News, alongside Stuart Monk, one of our Media Talkers, and Phil Hilton, editor of Nuts magazine. You can see the piece in the following formats:
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On Monday the actor Max Beesley appeared on GMTV alongside his father, who had prostate cancer. You can see the interview in the following formats:
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March 21st
"Health Minister Rosie Winterton today visited a leading cancer research centre to mark prostate cancer awareness week." Read more at The Government News Network.
The Times and The Daily Mirror have picked up the launch of the DIPEx PSA advice website, which was reported yesterday by BBCi.
The Daily Mail has reported on the opening of Guy's prostate cancer clinic in London, which is now offering all prostate cancer treatments on one site where one of the nurses will be working closely with our nurses here two days a week.
The Belfast Telegraph has a story about a DUP MP who is involved with the Early Day Motion tabled in the House of Commons this week supporting Awareness Week. They also have a story urging men to have a check up, and the personal story of Brian Cheyne, a man with prostate cancer.
"Men over fifty are being invited to a male-only health event at Liverpool FC today in a bid to raise awareness about prostate cancer." Read more at IC Cheshire Online.
The Manchester Evening News and Scotland's Evening Times have picked up the story of our ICM poll.
The chillies vs cancer cell story has now made it to Detroit.
March 20th
Our Head of Policy and Research, Chris Hiley, was interviewed on Lloyd's Pharmacy radio and talked about the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. You can hear the interview (first 30 seconds missing, unfortunately) in the following formats:
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Patricia Cohen, one of our Helpline Nurses, spoke to Ben Taylor from LBC Radio as part of Awareness Week. You can hear the interview in the following formats:
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BBC Online make reference to our ICM poll in an article reporting the launch of a new site from DIPEx for men considering whether or not to have a PSA test. Read the BBCi article is here.
Yorkshire Today has an article about Awareness Week, focusing on our ICM poll, as does The Scotsman and The Northern Irish Newsletter.
The print media are running with stories relating to Awareness Week. Today's press includes articles and mentions in The Sun, The Daily Mail and The Financial Times.
Following a feature on this morning's programme, GMTV online has an article about prostate cancer.
As part of Prostate Cancer Awareness next week, a display has been set up at Noble's Hospital on the Isle of Man to generate a greater awareness of the disease.
The Voice have devoted three pages of their print edition to coverage, and a banner on their website's front page leads to their internet coverage.
March 19th
Dr Hilary Jones' entire page in The News Of The World was devoted to our Real Man Campaign/Prostate Cancer Awareness Week. The Mail On Sunday also focused on our survey, and you can read the text of their article at their website.
March 18th
The Financial Times ran an article called The Great Prostate Debate, which featured an excellent interview with John Essex about his experience of prostate cancer, quotes from our Head of Policy and Research, Chris Hiley, about the PSA test, and diagrams, information and lots of mentions of us, Awareness Week and the Helpline. You can read the articles here, but you must have an FT Online subscription.
Sky News featured an excellent piece about men's health with our Head of Policy and Research, Dr Chris Hiley, media talker Stewart Monk and editor of Nuts magazine, Phil Hilton. They mentioned Awareness Week and focused on the drinks mats.
March 17th
As Awareness Week 2006 gets underway the press coverage begins with this story in the Sutton Coldfield Observer and this story of a local fundraising effort in Horsham Today.
March 16th
The chilli pepper story continues to be hot news, receiving coverage in Netindia123 and Pakistan's Daily Times.
March 15th
The chillies vs cancer cell story, and our comments upon it, have been widely picked up by the national and international press. The Daily Mirror covers the story, as does BBC News Online, The Times, and The Scotsman. Also, Austrian readers found us quoted in Presstext.
February 25th
Stanley Cusiter, TPCC supporter with prostate cancer and father of Scottish Rugby star Chris Cusiter, was interviewed in The Scotsman on Saturday. Read the interview here.
January 19th
Dr Hilary Jones appeared on Steve Wright's Radio Two show to talk about Peeball. You can hear a clip by clicking one of the links below:
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For more information about Peeball or to place an order, please visit our Shop.
January 12th
The Prostate Cancer Charity has backed the publication of the Public Accounts Committee report on “Tackling Cancer: Improving the Patient Journey,” which calls on the Government to put prostate cancer higher on its health agenda. Prostate Cancer Charity Chief Executive, John Neate, said: “The earlier National Audit Office report, ‘Tackling Cancer: Improving the Patient Journey,’ showed that in nearly 70 per cent - 54 of the 80 - areas surveyed, prostate cancer patients had a worse experience of the NHS than other patients with common cancers. This is appalling and clearly unacceptable." The story was covered by BBC Breakfast News, Sky News, BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, Five Live, BBC News 24 and the ITV lunch time news. You can read some of the coverage through the following links: BBC News online and The Daily Mail.
January 10th
Chris Hiley, The Charity's Head of Policy and Research advises on US report which claims that the PSA test, as a screening test for prostate cancer, "does not improve survival". She was quoted in The BBC Online, The Times, The Guardian, and the website Black Britain. The Prostate Cancer Charity's lead nurse, Tania Ross also prompted a phone in, when she talked on BBC Radio Wiltshire about the PSA test.
Browse our archive of older press coverage...