Martin Salter, MP for Reading West, has signed up to a Charter for Action for Prostate Cancer as part of the recent Prostate Cancer Awareness Week.

The Charter has four main demands: to significantly reduce the number of men being diagnosed with prostate cancer that has already spread; to improve the cancer experience of men with prostate cancer to at least the level of other common cancers; to level up clinical outcomes across the country so that all NHS services match the current best; and to plan effectively to deliver world class prostate cancer services in the future.

The Reading West MP has also signed a House of Commons Early Day Motion (EDM) entitled “Prostate Cancer Countdown to Equality” which states:

“That this house notes that prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in men and that its incidence is set to rise still further; further notes that the deaths from prostate cancer have remained relatively stable at approximately 10,000 per year; recognises that progress has been made in improving prostate cancer services but that significant inequalities remain in awareness, quality of services, patient experience and patient outcomes; welcomes the Prostate Cancer Charter for Action’s new policy calls which are intended to tackle these inequalities; and urges the Government to take immediate action to implement them.”

Speaking after the launch of the Charter Mr Salter said:

“This Charter is a hugely important step in the fight against this devastating illness. The incidence of prostate cancer in Britain is alarmingly high - every year nearly 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and 10,000 of those die from it. The greatest tragedy is that many of these deaths could have been prevented by earlier diagnosis. The Government must focus on providing greater consistency in prostate cancer services throughout the UK to ensure that all men have access to high quality treatment and care.”