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Archbishop Tutu addresses the National Prostate Cancer Conference
Last November, nearly 400 delegates descended on the Congress Centre in London for the first major National Prostate Cancer Conference held in recent years. The afternoon’s programme began with the encouraging words of The Most Reverend Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a long time supporter and patron of The Prostate Cancer Charity. The Archbishop has first hand experience of prostate cancer, having been diagnosed and successfully treated in 1996. Although his PSA has risen recently, the Archbishop remains typically upbeat.
"The work of The Prostate Cancer Charity is so important to the many, many sufferers around the world. As a former prostate cancer sufferer, I know that there is life after prostate cancer. I am living proof of that."
The Most Reverend Archbishop Tutu
See the Archbishop's Video message of support
Video message (dial-up 56-64 kbps, 418kb)
Video message (DSL/cable, 2.58Mb)
As hosts, The Prostate Cancer Charity was at the very heart of the conference, named ‘A Cause for Action: The Time for Change’. Chief Executive, John Neate, gave an impassioned speech, outlining the areas in which major progress had been made in the ten years since The Prostate Cancer Charity began its campaigning. They included:
- Increased research investment from the Government and the voluntary sector means we have more researchers than ever.
- The Government has given priority not only to cancer in general but prostate cancer specifically, with widespread political support.
- The Prostate Cancer Charity’s efforts have resulted in an unprecedented level of media coverage.
- The NHS has focused attention on organising its cancer services more effectively.
However, John also pointed out that the progress that had been made was still not enough. Prostate cancer has a pitiful history of neglect and there is still a mountain to climb in bringing services up to the standard of other cancers. Specific calls for action included:
- The rapid appointment by the NHS of Specialist Nurses in all prostate cancer treatment centres across the UK.
- More research and improved practice to make the biopsy procedure less painful. This includes better use of local anaesthetic and pain relief.
- New male-friendly GP/community clinics should be set up to deal with men’s concerns about prostate cancer in a sensitive and informative way.
"Unless men’s health is pushed to the top of everyone’s agenda – Government ministers, managers, hospital doctors, GPs, nurses and, of course men – the war against prostate cancer will never be won."
High profile speakers at the conference addressed a whole series of key issues, including cutting-edge cancer treatments, the pros and cons of early intervention and Government/NHS campaigning. It was a hugely successful event and so well received that we are planning a similar one this year.
2005’s conference ‘Forward Together: Getting the Best for Men’ was held on Thursday 3rd November at the Congress Centre, London.
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