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PROSTATE
CANCER
WORKING TOWARDS CURES
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in UK men. But
treatments are improving all the time and we are at the heart of this
progress. Last year, we spent nearly £17 million on our research,
taking us a step closer to beating the disease.
WHAT IS
PROSTATE CANCER?
The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland that produces the fluid that
carries sperm when a man ejaculates. Prostate cancer develops when
cells in the gland multiply out of control, forming a tumour. Cancer cells
can also break away from the tumour and spread around the body
forming secondary tumours. Around 41,000 men in the UK are diagnosed
with prostate cancer every year – that’s more than 112 every day.
HOW IS PROSTATE CANCER TREATED?
Treatment options include surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, and
chemotherapy. The most appropriate treatment depends on how
advanced the cancer is. The disease can be slow growing, so being
monitored rather than having treatment straight away is sometimes an
option.
WHAT ABOUT SCREENING FOR PROSTATE CANCER?
There is no national screening programme for prostate cancer, because
the available tests are not reliable enough and it is not clear whether the
harms would outweigh the benefits. Doctors can do a blood test for PSA
(prostate specific antigen), a molecule produced by the prostate. If men
over 50 want this test, they can talk to their doctor who will tell them
about the harms and benefits to help them decide.
Over two
thirds of
patients will
survive for
at least
10 years
WHAT
COULD
AFFECT
YOUR RISK?
60+
Around nine out of 10 cases are in men
over the age of 60.
The risk is greater if a close relative has
had the disease, especially if they were
diagnosed before 60.
Prostate cancer is more common in
black men and less common in Asian
men, compared with white men.
Have you got questions about cancer?
Visit cruk.org/about-cancer or call our specialist
cancer nurses on 0808 800 4040
OUR SCIENCE CHANGES LIVES
We’ve pioneered the development of new treatments for prostate cancer and played a
starring role in the discovery and development of abiraterone. This drug is making a real
difference to men with advanced prostate cancer, giving them extra time with their loved
ones. And thanks to our research a more precise radiotherapy treatment with fewer side
effects is now available, helping men get back on their feet faster.
IAN FROM WEST SUSSEX KNOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2003 and initially had hormone therapy.
When my PSA levels started to rise again, I took part in a series of clinical trials of different
drugs including abiraterone. I also had a course of precision radiotherapy, which wasn’t
even available 10 years ago. Thanks to my treatment I’ve had the all clear and I’m doing
really well.
Cancer Research UK t: +44 (0)20 7242 0200
Registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666) and the Isle of Man (1103).
For information on prostate cancer research, stats,
signs & symptoms and treatment, go to cruk.org
MAKING
A DIFFERENCE
We
receive no
government
funding
for our
research
Thanks to our research, we’ve developed an in-depth
understanding of prostate cancer that has underpinned new
treatments, working towards a day when more men survive.
PROFESSOR ROS EELES IN
LONDON TELLS US HER STORY
Prostate cancer is one of the biggest
cancer killers of men, so I wanted to do
more to understand this disease and find
new treatments. I’m identifying the role
genes play in prostate cancer and this has
lots of potential benefits. Understanding
the genetics of prostate cancer could lead
to future screening programmes to spot
cancer earlier when it is easy to treat, and
also gives us clues about cancer that
could lead to new treatments.
ACCESS TO TREATMENTS
WORLD’S FIRST
We successfully lobbied to make
sure abiraterone was available to
every man who needs it, giving
them extra time with their friends
and families.
Our researchers developed the
first ever man-made hormone
used to treat men with prostate
cancer, paving the way for the
hormone treatments used today.
IMPROVING TREATMENTS
UNDERSTANDING RISK
Our scientists helped develop a
new radiotherapy technique used
to target prostate cancer. This vital
treatment is now more accurate
and effective, helping to reduce
side effects.
We’re leading a landmark study to crack
the genetic code of prostate cancer.
This could lead to new treatments and
help identify men most at risk, so they
could be monitored for early signs of
the disease.
OUR PROGRESS IS YOUR PROGRESS
We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, but there’s still much more to be done. Here’s a glance at what our researchers are doing
to prevent, control and cure prostate cancer.
Glasgow: Professor Hing Leung is looking at how
faulty communication inside prostate cells leads to
cancer, and how we might use that information to
detect and treat the disease.
London: Professor Johann de Bono’s team is
leading clinical trials to test drugs that may help
treat men whose prostate cancer is no longer
responding to other treatment.
Birmingham: Professor Nicholas James is carrying
out a trial to find the best combination of
treatments for men with advanced prostate cancer.
Bristol: Professor Richard Martin is researching
whether or not the PSA test saves lives from
prostate cancer. Reliable, early detection would
lead to better outcomes for patients.
Cambridge: Professor Kay-Tee Khaw is investigating
the lifestyle and biological causes of cancer, which
could in future help men reduce their risk of
developing prostate cancer.
September 2014
Glasgow: Dr Prabhakar Rajan is working out how
prostate cancer spreads. This work could lead to
new ways to stop the disease in its tracks.
Find out more: download other research leaflets
in this series at cruk.org/researchleaflets