Openness calls around prostate cancer

MEN need to be more open about health issues, including prostate and testicular cancer, says a Galloway MSP

Finlay Carson spoke out on the need for discussion prior to diagnosis after it was revealed that former UK Prime Minister David Cameron had recently undergone treatment after being discovered with the disease.

Mr Carson said: “Perhaps we should have more people saying that they had a concern and went and had it checked – and it was fine, that may encourage more men to go.”

It is understood that about 1000 men lost their lives to the disease last year, heightening calls for a national screening programme to be introduced to combat the rise in prostate cancer cases among men in the UK.

Mr Carson insists that if prostate cancer is diagnosed early, it can be treated, praising well-known figures such as Sir Chris Hoy and the former premier in highlighting their intimate experiences to encourage more to get tested.

He added: “We cannot rely on the goodwill of public figures and charities alone.

“Sadly, the government are not doing enough to promote early detection and their own 62-days treatment target has been missing over the last decade which is disappointing to say the least.

“Frankly, it just isn’t good enough especially as we are talking about the lives of fathers, brothers, uncles and friends.

“My message to government ministers is to back Prostate Cancer Research’s calls for a proactive targeted screening programme.”