Evidence from Prostate Cancer UK – MT 34

Prostate Cancer UK

Health and Social Care Committee Inquiry into access to medical technologies in Wales

November 2013

1. Overview

1.1 Prostate Cancer UK is the UK’s leading charity for men with prostate cancer and prostate problems. We support men and provide information, find answers through funding research and lead change to raise awareness and improve care. The charity is committed to ensuring the voice of people affected by prostate cancer is at the heart of all we do.

1.2 Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men in Wales. Over 2,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year and the disease kills over 500 men a year. By 2030 it will be the most common cancer in the UK.

1.3 We know that the European age-standardised incidence rate is significantly higher in Wales compared to other countries in the UK.[1]

2. General Comments

2.1 Prostate Cancer UK welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Health and Social Care Committee inquiry into access to medical technologies in Wales. We are providing a general response to this inquiry.

2.2 Prostate Cancer UK believes that men with prostate cancer in Wales should be able to access new medical technologies in Wales.

2.3 There are several treatments currently available for prostate cancer including surgery (open, laparoscopic and robotic), external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), cryotherapy as well as chemotherapy.

2.4 We know that not all of these treatments are currently available in Wales and not all of them are easily accessible. For example, whilst brachytherapy is available, it is only available at the Velindre Centre which means that men from all across Wales will need to travel to this one centre to access this treatment or go to England.

2.5 We know that HIFU and cryotherapy are also not currently available in Wales. We understand there is limited access to cryotherapy but only through a clinical trial in Wrexham.

2.6 Robotic surgery is becoming a more common type of surgery, yet currently men in Wales are not able to access this treatment. We are aware that robotic surgery has just been approved by the Welsh Government and that there will be three robots in use in Wales from 2014.

Thank you for taking the time to read Prostate Cancer UK’s response. If you would like more information on any aspect of our response please contact the Policy & Campaigns team by email at policy@prostatecanceruk.org or telephone 0208 222 7622.

Yours sincerely,

Holly Mitchell

Policy Officer