§ Vernon CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to promote a greater awareness among men of prostate and testicular cancer; and if he will make a statement. [4275]
§ Yvette CooperThe Department recognises that men need to have information to identify health problems, and easy access to health care services and support when health problems arise. Two initiatives have recently been launched for men concerned about or suffering from prostate cancer.
The informed choice project for prostate specific antigen testing (PSA) is an education programme setting out the benefits and drawbacks of undergoing a PSA test. Men who are concerned about prostate cancer and who approach their general practitioner for a test will be given this information to help them reach a decision. Initially this is a consultation period and feedback on the usefulness of the materials, from GPs and the public, is welcomed. The leaflets are on the National Electronic Library for Health website www.nelh.nhs.uk/psatesting/.
1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 Started 13,263 15,684 17,898 17,708 19,348 Leavers1 2,572 3,139 3,381 2,556 1,362 Interrupted2 386 681 932 883 492 Active3 353 393 5,374 13,966 17,474 Percentage left 19.39 20.01 18.89 14.43 7.0 Percentage interrupted 2.91 4.34 5.21 4.99 2.5 Percentage active 2.66 2.51 30.03 78.87 90.3 1 Students who have withdrawn completely from the course 2 Students who have temporarily withdrawn but who intend to return 3 Students who have still to complete their studies Note:
These data are based on a snapshot in time of a particular cohort(s) and therefore each year there will still be students who have yet to complete their course
226WThe database of individual patient's experience of illness (DIPEx) is intended for use by patients, their families and carers as well as those working in the health services. DIPEx prostate cancer includes high quality information, prepared in collaboration with CancerBACUP, about the condition and its treatment, as well as answers to commonly asked questions. It is unique in recording patients in video talking about their own experiences and the choices they made.
We are looking at other innovative methods of conveying messages to men and of improving their access to services that are more tailored to their needs. The Health Development Agency is currently examining what measures are most effective for improving men's health in different areas, and preventing men from becoming ill in the first place. The findings of this work will inform the decisions that we make on how best to achieve better health for men in the future.