Actor and presenter Stephen Fry is urging prostate cancer patients to sign up to a major new research initiative that could save thousands of lives.
The NHS has partnered with Prostate Cancer Research to give scientists access to health data in a bid to transform patient care and treatment of the disease.
The charity’s Prostate Progress project is the first to be selected to take part in NHS England’s Data for Research and Development Programme.
The initiative will provide “secure” access to clinical data from prostate cancer patients who agree to participate, along with data that patients enter directly, such as how they feel and the real-life effects of their cancer and its treatment.
Researchers hope to gain unique insights into prostate cancer by combining the two data sets to understand more about the disease, develop new treatments and tests to improve diagnosis, monitor the safety of treatments and plan new NHS services.
Stephen Fry, 66, who previously underwent prostate cancer surgery, is keen to encourage other people living with a diagnosis to get involved in the project.
The blue ribbon represents prostate cancer awareness. The Daily Mail has been campaigning for better diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer for over two decades.
Mr Fry, 66, who previously underwent prostate cancer surgery, is keen to encourage other people living with the diagnosis to take part in the project.
He said: ‘Prostate Progress represents a beacon of hope in the fight against prostate cancer, a disease that affects countless lives around the world.
‘By harnessing the power of our own health information, we enable researchers to uncover vital insights that lead to groundbreaking breakthroughs.
‘We can bring the world closer to a future where this disease is no longer a threat, where early detection and humane, effective treatment save lives.
“I’m excited to be part of Prostate Progress and I urge others to join me.” Anyone who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, either recently or in the past, is encouraged to take part.
Around 52,000 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year (the equivalent of 142 every day), making it the most common cancer in men.
Although survival rates have tripled over the past 50 years, projections suggest that by 2040 the number of men diagnosed each year in the UK could double.
The Daily Mail has campaigned for more than two decades to improve the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.
Dr Vin Diwakar, National Director for Transformation at NHS England, said: ‘This unique collaboration with Prostate Cancer Research will provide new insights into prostate cancer and improve patient care.
Mr Fry said: “Prostate Progress represents a beacon of hope in the fight against prostate cancer, a disease that affects countless lives around the world.”
Dr Vin Diwakar, National Director for Transformation at NHS England, said: “This unique collaboration with Prostate Cancer Research will provide new insights into prostate cancer and improve patient care.”
‘The NHS Research Secure Data Environment network allows us to link data and enable research on a scale not previously possible, whilst maintaining the highest levels of security.
‘Researchers will benefit from the rich picture provided by both NHS clinical data and information from patients who volunteer to take part and share their experiences.
“I encourage everyone who has had prostate cancer to sign up to Prostate Progress and help improve the lives of people living with the disease,” said Oliver Kemp, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer Research: “Prostate Progress puts data into the hands of patients, enabling them to record and track the impact of prostate cancer on their daily lives.
‘Putting patients at the centre of research and bringing together the data they provide with clinical data will be enormously powerful.
‘It will be key to driving scientific discoveries and innovations to deliver tests and treatments that meet patient needs.
‘We are delighted to be working in partnership with NHS England and look forward to working alongside our NHS colleagues as we reap the promised benefits for patients and the NHS.
‘We are extremely grateful to all those who have contributed to the work that has led to the design and development of Prostate Progress, and most especially to the men diagnosed with prostate cancer, who have freely donated their time and energy to support this ground-breaking initiative.’
Men can find more information about the initiative and sign up at www.ProstateProgress.org