Prostate Cancer and Diet Update Study Conclusion
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prostate matters Newsletter of the Prostate Cancer Support Federation Issue 7 February 2010 Contents New Year, new layout Page 2 Report of the Great PSA Debate and a sponsor for our Page 3 PSA Debate continued Page 4 Prostate Cancer and new all colour newsletter! Diet Update Page 5 Diet and Lifestyle The Prostate Cancer Support Federation Changes Page 6 RADICALS Annual Conference & AGM Clinical Trial Page 7 The Great PSA Debate Questionnaire Analysis Report Living well with Page 8 National Cancer Patient Information Prostate Cancer Prescriptions Worried or concerned Saturday 24th April 2010 about prostate cancer? 11.00 to 4.45pm National Help at the Line 0845 601 0766 Penny Brohn Cancer Centre Chapel Pill Lane PM Editor: Roger Bacon email: [email protected] Pill, Bristol You can download this newsletter direct from our website. Go to: BS20 0HH www.prostatecancerfederation.org.uk/ ProstateMatters_latest.pdf Book by phone: 01243 572990 or online The Federation e mail address is: Full programme of speakers will be sent out to member groups [email protected] and published on our website when available It is intended to publish this www.prostatecancerfederation.org.uk/agm_2010.htm newsletter 4 times a year Newsletter Sponsored by Mediwatch “Providing the complete diagnostic solution for Urologists” The Great PSA Debate – November 10th 2009, Leamington Spa Over a hundred representatives of Invited speakers that attach to its use, in particular prostate cancer patient support Before the debate proper, the scene automatic biopsy and treatment of groups went to Leamington Spa was set by Dr Dennis Brennan, a men with a PSA above a notional th on 10 November 2009 to join with recently retired company doctor, threshold. He emphasised that it is six distinguished experts in The who illustrated the difficulties GPs a test that we must use until Great PSA Debate, organised by the face in deciding how to respond to something better comes along. Prostate Cancer Support Federation men asking for the test. He Ken Muir, Professor of epidemiol- and sponsored by the Graham represented the people who have to ogy at Warwick University, then Fulford Charitable Trust and be convinced by the arguments of spoke against the motion. He Prostate UK. the debate. played an intriguing ‘parlour’ game Background Mr David Baxter-Smith, with the audience to show how the When it comes to PSA Testing, the consultant urologist of many years potential benefits of the test affect a general views of patients are experience who has conducted very small proportion of society completely at odds with those of sessions of PSA Testing throughout whilst the potential harms, due to many ‘professionals’. Patients, the country and is the Federation’s the side-effects of unnecessary almost to a man, are in favour of medical advisor, opened the debate treatment, affect a very large universal testing, as it might lead to for the motion. He reminded the proportion. He suggested that, early detection and hence cure of audience that when he started whilst the argument about testing many of the cancers currently practice, very often the first will rage on and on, a better way to detected late, when incurable. symptom of prostate cancer would spend our time would be to look at Health professionals generally have be one of the effects of bone ways to prevent the disease. a much more sceptical view. metastasis, e.g. paralysis resulting Professor Roger Kirby, a Possibly because of very different from spinal damage. The discovery urological surgeon, and Chairman agendas, those presenting the of PSA as a marker, however flawed, of Trustees of Prostate UK, resumed arguments on both sides are often radically changed the way prostate the case for the motion. He talking past each other. cancer is managed. He made the outlined the obvious benefits of a point that over-treatment, which is We needed a forum in which those man knowing his PSA and, as a acknowledged, is not the ‘fault’ of on each side of the argument could counter to the over-treatment the PSA Test, but of the protocols talk intelligently to each other, and argument, proposed a more look for where consensus might be found. Above all, the aim of the day was to get the prostate cancer charities to speak with one voice on the issue. The wording of the motion was carefully chosen, avoiding the topic of formal screen- ing, as it was clear that there was not the remotest chance of agreement on that. Instead, it concentrated on the idea that men should be encouraged to monitor their PSA levels. It was: “Every man at risk of prostate disease … should be encouraged to check his PSA every year.” Voting at the debate 2 sophisticated screening strategy: Dr Chris Parker, our final major charities are agreed on a identify at risk groups and monitor speaker, oncologist from the Royal policy for awareness raising about their PSA kinetics. In such a regime Marsden, explained his own the availability of PSA testing for all one would look at risk factors (e.g. personal view, which forces him to men at risk. genetic risks) first, then screen if reject the motion. He prefers to appropriate, backing up the basic accept a small increase in risk of Follow-up PSA screening test with other tests, death through not knowing his Two streams of work have been e.g. PCA3 and genetic markers. PSA rather than the very much identified. First, we must build on larger increase of risk of the consensus that men should be John Neate, Chief Executive of unnecessary treatment. He made aware of the test. The The Prostate Cancer Charity, speak- illustrated graphically how the Prostate Cancer Charity are taking ing against the motion, reviewed recent European trial had showed a the lead on this, and we, in the the Charity’s research into patients’, 20% reduction in mortality, but at Federation, are involved in their GPs’ and the general public’s expense of massive over-treatment. work. Our goal is to ensure that the attitude to PSA testing. The Charity He outlined a number of other risk NSC reflects this in whatever supports the right of every man factors that would be more recommendations it makes about over 50 and those at higher risk – to effective than a screening prostate cancer screening in the make an informed choice about the programme in reducing death Spring. PSA test, but it does not believe through early detection. Secondly, the risk assessment that a national screening approach needs to be developed programme would offer an accept- Open debate further. Prostate UK have offered to able balance between benefit and As might be expected, the open take the lead on this and we look harm. It will work with the UK debate session was lively and views forward to some early results. National Screening Committee were passionately expressed. How- Three months after the event, the (NSC) to bring the vital perspectives ever, it began to emerge that the ‘buzz’ that was reported around of men to their decision making two sides of the argument were Leamington Spa station that process and, crucially, if the NSC actually much closer than had been evening has abated somewhat, and recommends against screening, the thought. In particular, there was already there are frustrations that Charity will lobby for alternative agreement by all that not much seems to be happening. It arrangements, e.g. through routine is still early days, but we, the ‘well man’ health checks. men should be aware of the PSA test, its benefits and limitations, Federation will keep the pressure Dr Tom Stuttaford, prostate and of their right to have it; on. An update on both these issues cancer patient and the political and will be given at the Annual th media advisor for the Federation, GPs need education; Conference on 24 April. who is well known to readers of The research is urgently needed to Sandy Tyndale-Biscoe Chairman PCSF Times and The Oldie, spoke next. identify and get consensus on He made a comparison with other how to use risk factors to screening programmes, where, on govern follow-up action. Federation ‘Real similar evidence, screening has PCRMP’ leaflets been adopted. He knew, from his Indeed, on a final vote in which the As the Department of Health time as an MP, that there is strong wording was changed to read has now issued revised political pressure against screening, “Every man at risk of prostate guidelines to GPs on PSA and that mortality figures have for disease … should be made aware of testing, we have updated some time been ‘fixed’. The the PSA test, its benefits and and re-printed our own Treasury always rules, but the limitations and should be able to guideline sheet to distribute to GPs. If your group would financial arguments don’t stand up freely exercise his right to have it”, there was total agreement, with a like a further supply of – early detection would these leaflets, contact single abstention – a major undoubtedly save money. 0161 474 8222 achievement. For the first time, the 3 with prostate cancer” was the Prostate Cancer and Diet Update study conclusion. There has also been research look- ing at diet and survival after NHS Choices recently reviewed where soy intake is low. This may 8 prostate cancer1. This was follow- be because of chemicals found in prostate cancer diagnosis . This ing the June 2009 publication of soy called phyto-oestrogens. showed that adoption of a plant- Healthy Eating: The Prostate Care based diet may slow disease Several studies have shown a Cookbook, which was produced in progression and improve protective association for prognosis.