Composer backs tripling of spending on research into prostate cancer

Prostate Cancer UK launched a major campaign strategy called MANifesto, aimed at boosting efforts to deliver better forms of diagnosis, treatment and patient support.

The move, backed by composer Lord Lloyd-Webber, follows the organisation’s merger last month with another charity, Prostate Action. Their combined resources will triple Prostate Cancer UK’s research spending to £25m over the next three years.

Top priorities will be finding a new and more reliable test for prostate cancer, identifying men most at risk of aggressive disease, and developing less invasive treatments. Funds will also be channelled into developing better and more personalised treatments for patients with advanced disease that has spread.

In addition the charity has vowed to increase spending “significantly” on patient support services, and to improve training and education for health professionals.

Charity patron Lord Lloyd-Webber, who has been treated for prostate cancer, said: “I know, from experience, how this disease can impact on a man’s life. I was happy to stand up and speak out about my diagnosis at the time, and I am proud to be among the first to join the movement for change being led by Prostate Cancer UK.”

Each year almost 41,000 men in the UK are diagnosed with prostate cancer.