Christopher Fraser, Member of Parliament for South West Norfolk has welcomed the launch of Prostate Cancer Awareness Week to focus public attention on the disease and called on the Government to roll out a national awareness campaign.
Mr Fraser, who has secured two Parliamentary debates on Prostate Cancer, announced his sponsorship for a Commons Motion expressing concern at the lack of awareness and understanding about the most common form of cancer in men.
Attending a reception to help raise awareness among Parliamentarians, Christopher Fraser said:
“Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the UK. It is a major killer, resulting in the deaths of 10,000 men each year. Yet, for far too many, it remains a taboo subject. Awareness of the possible symptoms of prostate cancer, as well as what to do if you may be at risk, remain too low.
“Men frequently put off a visit to their GP because they think a test for prostate cancer is likely to be embarrassing, unpleasant and invasive, not realising that a simple blood test can often give an indication of a problem. They risk their life by delaying medical attention.
“I congratulate the Prostate Cancer Charity and the Prostate Cancer Charter for Action on the key role that they play in raising money for research and working to raise public awareness of the symptoms. It is time that the Department of Health stepped up its commitment to ensuring that men are as well informed about this risk to their lives as women are about breast cancer. Despite Ministers’ fine words, Government action to tackle prostate cancer is long overdue.” |