Prime minister announces £75 million to fund prostate cancer research

Prime minister Theresa May has announced £75 million to fund prostate cancer research to offer speedier treatment and help develop new, more effective treatments for the disease, which kills 10,000 men every year.

Over 40,000 men will be recruited into more than 60 studies in prostate cancer over the next five years, to test treatments including more precise radiotherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound, cryotherapy, alongside supportive interventions including exercise and dietary advice.

May said: “Our cancer treatments are world class and survival rates are at a record high, but prostate cancer still claims thousands of lives every year. I know we can do more. That’s why I am setting out new plans to help thousands of men get treated earlier and faster.”

Dr Jonathan Sheffield, chief executive at the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network said: “Clinical research brings us closer to the development of new treatments for prostate cancer patients.”

The studies, he added, “[W]ill provide more opportunities for earlier access to new drugs and therapies, which will ultimately lead to improved diagnoses and care in the future.”

Dr Iain Frame, director of research at Prostate Cancer UK said: “Today’s announcement shows a very welcome and positive commitment from the government to play a key role in getting men the early and accurate diagnosis and treatments for prostate cancer they deserve. It at last shows recognition of what a huge issue prostate cancer is and the focus needed to stop it being a killer. We look forward to finding out more about the plans laid out by the prime minister. By working together and pooling our resources we will be able to save more lives more quickly and build a better future for men.”

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and the third most common cause of cancer deaths in the UK.

“With increased research investment used wisely, over the next few years we can turn this around and make prostate cancer a disease men no longer need to fear,” Dr Frame said.