In a landmark decision set to transform prostate cancer care, the NHS in England has dramatically expanded access to a life-extending drug for thousands of newly diagnosed men.
A Victory Against a Postcode Lottery
The drug, abiraterone, will now be offered to men whose prostate cancer has not spread beyond the gland. This crucial change ends a significant disparity in care across the UK, as the treatment was already available more widely in Scotland and Wales. Charities had long criticised this inconsistency, labelling it an unfair postcode lottery for patients in England.
Prostate Cancer UK, which campaigned vigorously for the change, hailed the move as momentous. The charity estimates the decision will save more than 3,000 lives over the next five years.
The Impact on Survival Rates
Approximately 8,000 men in England will become eligible for the drug each year. For this group, it is projected to dramatically reduce annual deaths from prostate cancer, cutting them from around 1,900 to fewer than 1,000. This represents a potential halving of the mortality risk for those eligible.
The evidence for abiraterone's effectiveness is robust. A major clinical trial led by University College London and the Institute of Cancer Research found that when given alongside standard hormone therapy and radiotherapy for non-metastatic disease, the drug could:
- Halve the risk of the cancer returning.
- Reduce the risk of death by 40%.
Abiraterone works by starving cancer cells of the hormones they need to grow. It will be administered in combination with the steroid prednisolone.
Addressing a Major Health Challenge
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, affecting one in eight in the UK. Each year, there are about 55,300 new diagnoses and 12,200 deaths from the disease, underscoring the critical importance of this treatment expansion.
Professor Peter Johnson, national clinical director for NHS England, stated that thousands of men can now start the year with the confidence of having a better chance at a longer, healthier life. He emphasised the health service's commitment to rolling out the most effective, evidence-based treatments.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed his delight at the decision, noting that abiraterone significantly improves survival rates and can give patients precious extra years of life.
Amy Rylance, assistant director of health improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, described the profound relief this will bring. She reflected on the terrifying and devastating situation men previously faced, knowing a proven, life-saving treatment was out of reach. We refused to accept this outcome for men, she said, and we didn't stop until we changed it.
