WIREDGOV

The first report of the National Prostate Cancer Audit (NPCA) has been published and looks at whether NHS services in England & Wales for men diagnosed with prostate cancer meet recommended standards.  Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and the third most common cause of cancer-related mortality in the UK, with about 40,000 new cases each year resulting in 10,000 deaths.

The report found that modern imaging techniques are being introduced so that better decisions about the most appropriate treatment can be made.  NHS hospitals are also using innovative surgical techniques with 26 NHS prostate cancer centres in England and 1 in Wales now offer robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.  There is also significant progress in the uptake of new radiotherapy techniques.   However, the report also highlights room for improvement, especially on provision of personal support for men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

• National Prostate Cancer Audit finds that hospitals are increasingly using advanced techniques to diagnose & treat men with prostate cancer