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UK’s first male cancer centre
02/10/2003
The UK's first male cancer centre was officially opened
by the First Minsiter Jack McConnell at Edinburgh's
Western General Hospital today.
The clinic brings together healthcare specialists,
support and information into a single dedicated facility
for men suffering from testicular, prostrate and penile
cancer. The aim is to create a patient-centred approach to
the treatment.
Mr McConnell said that Scotland can be proud that the
cancer centre is based here, but this should also be a
strong reminder to Scottish men to take much better care of
their health. Mr McConnell continued:
"Cancer is an horrific disease that can strike even the
fittest of people at any time.
"The tragedy is that far too many Scottish men increase
their chances of becoming ill by eating and drinking the
wrong things, and not keeping fit. Then they compound the
mistake by failing to get regular check-ups.
"There is clearly a need to invest in and reform the
health service to improve treatment and put the interests
of patients first, and I am proud that the UK's first male
cancer clinic is in Scotland. But it should also serve as a
strong reminder to every Scottish man of our awful record
on men's health and that prevention is better than
cure.
"The survival rates from cancer for Scottish men lag 20
years behind Scottish women. Huge strides have been made in
raising the profile of women's health issues and it is now
time for men to catch up. We need to end the taboo that
prevents men discussing their health and make it far easier
for them to get a health check in the locations where they
feel most comfortable.
"Women are now perfectly comfortable talking about
breast cancer and self-examination. We need men to be just
as relaxed talking about testicular cancer and their
personal health."
The First Minister unveiled plans in August for a
national network of health MOTs for men by 2005, as part of
the Scottish government's drive to reduce the number of
Scots who die prematurely from diseases such as stroke,
cancer and heart disease. These could take place, for
example, in a local golf club or at a football match or the
supermarket.
The First Minister added:
"If Scotland is truly to thrive and prosper in the 21st
century, then we need Scottish men to take more
responsibility for their improving their own health. This
will improve their lives, but also help us promote Scotland
abroad as an attractive and vibrant place to live and
work."
The male cancer centre is supported by a £500,000
donation from the HEBA Foundation and will have strong
links with the regional Prostrate Cancer Support Group and
Testicular Cancer Awareness (Scotland).
Grahame Howard, Clinical Director in oncology at the
centre said:
"We are very grateful to the Trustees who have funded
this state-of-the-art centre, which brings together all the
different aspects of the care of urological malignancies in
men, particularly testicular and prostate cancers. It will
be the administrative centre for the South East Scotland
Cancer Network Urology Group and will be a focus for future
research."
The male cancer centre at the Western General Hospital
has been operational since January.
The five-year survival rates from cancer for Scottish
men have increased from 25 per cent in the early 1980s to
38 per cent in the late 1990s. However, over the same
period, for Scottish women they have increased from 37 per
cent to 48 per cent.