Health Minister Welcomes The First Ever UK Prostate Cancer Masterclass

Main Category: Prostate / Prostate Cancer
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 24 Apr 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The Prostate Cancer Charity is launching the first ever Prostate Cancer Masterclass. Ann Keen, Under Secretary of State for Health Services, will be addressing the delegates at the start of the Masterclass on 23rd April.

Running over two days, starting on 23rd April and in partnership with King's College London, The Prostate Cancer Masterclass is designed for hospital and community health professionals caring for men with prostate cancer.

The Masterclass entitled 'the whole journey counts : choices and dilemmas' aims to provide delegates with a forum to analyse, to discuss and to debate the current challenges facing prostate cancer care as well as gaining an update on some of the latest research and practice guidance in the management of the disease.

The Masterclass will be delivered through a combination of keynote lectures, workshops and discussion forums led by prostate cancer specialists. Key themes of the two days will include screening, recently developed treatment options and new therapies, along with informed decision making and informed choice and nurse led care.

John Neate, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: "We have managed to gather a very high level of expertise for The Prostate Cancer Charity Masterclass. We hope that this key event will provide a unique opportunity for health professionals caring for men with prostate cancer both to improve their understanding of the latest advances in prostate cancer treatment and also to consider the very important daily choices and dilemmas facing these men."

Ann Keen, Under Secretary of State for Health Services, said: "I congratulate The Prostate Cancer Charity and King's College on gathering such an impressive group of health professionals from across the country. These people all play a crucial role in the care and support of men with prostate cancer. The Masterclass will be an excellent forum for improving their expertise and enhancing their specialist knowledge of prostate cancer."

The delegates will also have the opportunity to hear directly from two people affected by prostate cancer, John and Ann Essex, who will share some of the issues and experiences of dealing with the disease. The programme will close with an address from Andy Ripley, rugby legend and sportsman and supporter of The Prostate Cancer Charity, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005.

About Andy Ripley

Andy Ripley, England rugby legend and author, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005. He has since become a tireless supporter of The Prostate Cancer Charity and has been actively raising awareness about the disease. In 2007 he wrote a book, Ripley's World, documenting his battle with prostate cancer. Ripley's World has recently won Rugby Book of the Year, at the British Sports Book Awards. All proceeds from Ripley's World are donated to The Prostate Cancer Charity.

Full details of the Masterclass can be found here.

Every year nearly 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United Kingdom and 10,000 men die from it. Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK - every hour at least one man dies from this disease.

African Caribbean men are three times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than their white counterparts.

The Prostate Cancer Charity is striving for a world where lives are no longer limited by prostate cancer. The Charity is fighting prostate cancer on every front - through research, support, information and campaigning.

If you have any queries about prostate cancer call The Prostate Cancer Charity's confidential helpline 0800 074 8383 which is staffed by specialist nurses and open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and Wednesdays from 7 - 9pm or visit http://www.prostate-cancer.org.uk

The Prostate Cancer Charity