Nisha Pandey

Why English Actor Peter Duncan Is Advocating For Focal Therapy After His Prostate Cancer Treatment?

English actor and former Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan recently urged health authorities to make focal therapy more available for <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/prostate-cancer">prostate cancer</a> patients. He said after describing the treatment as "life-changing" following his own diagnosis in 2019.

This comes as new evidence has been emerging that the minimally invasive approach can offer satisfactory <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/cancer">cancer</a> control compared to traditional treatments, while also significantly reducing long-term side effects.

The 72-year-old broadcaster revealed that he was initially offered a <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/scientists-find-a-previously-unknown-protein-that-makes-aggressive-cancers-drug-resistant-article-155218402" data-type="tilCustomLink">prostatectomy</a>, a surgery that removes the entire prostate gland. Instead, he opted for focal therapy, a targeted treatment that destroys only the cancerous portion of the prostate while preserving healthy tissue.

"It was a complete success, and I've only experienced very minor after-effects, allowing me to continue with my life as before," Duncan said, while backing Prostate Cancer UK's campaign for wider NHS access to the treatment. "Many men aren't given the same chance I was, and that needs to change."

<h2>Importance Of Focal Therapy In <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/prostate-cancer">Prostate Cancer</a> Treatment</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/tadalafil-common-male-potency-drug-may-raise-glaucoma-risk-in-men-finds-study-article-155312358" data-type="tilCustomLink">Tadalafil: Common Male-Potency Drug May Raise Glaucoma Risk In Men, Finds Study</a>

Duncan's campaign comes amid growing clinical evidence supporting focal therapy for selected patients with localised prostate cancer. 

A recent report from researchers at Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust found that focal therapy shows promise in cancer treatment compared to surgery and radiotherapy while causing far fewer complications in some patients. 

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/prostate-cancer-nhs-englands-new-precision-radiotherapy-offers-hope-in-just-5-sessions-article-155186795" data-type="tilCustomLink">Prostate Cancer UK</a> is now calling on the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to consider the latest evidence so more eligible patients can access the treatment through the NHS.

Amy Rylance, Director of Health Services, Equity and Improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said the delay in wider approval is leaving thousands of men with no access to treatments that could preserve their quality of life. 

"Without a timeline from NICE, we simply don't know how long men will have to wait for approval on the NHS," she said. "Thousands of men will have to deal with life-changing side effects simply because of their postcode." 

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/who-cancer-agency-flags-3-common-medicines-as-carcinogenic-what-it-means-for-millions-of-patients-article-155300738" data-type="tilCustomLink">WHO Cancer Agency Flags 3 Common Medicines As Carcinogenic: What It Means For Millions Of Patients</a>

Unlike prostatectomy or <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/cancer-is-not-a-death-sentence-anymore-how-early-detection-modern-treatment-are-changing-outcomes-in-tier-2-cities-article-155104111" data-type="tilCustomLink">radiotherapy</a>, focal therapy targets only the tumour inside the prostate. The treatment may use high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) or cryotherapy to destroy cancer cells while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue.

Because the rest of the prostate and surrounding nerves are preserved, patients may generally face a much lower risk of urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and bowel problems. 

Focal therapy is not suitable for everyone. Specialists say it is generally considered for men with localised, clinically significant prostate cancer where imaging and biopsy show that the tumour can be accurately targeted. 

Patients still require long-term monitoring after treatment to ensure the cancer has not returned or progressed. 

Contagious Cancer Found in Catfish! Are Humans at Risk? | New Nature Study Explained

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/uk-launches-clinical-trials-for-cancer-vaccines-article-151100163" data-type="tilCustomLink">cancer</a> in men in the UK. According to Prostate Cancer UK, around one in eight men will be diagnosed during their lifetime, with the risk increasing with age, family history and Black ethnicity.

While surgery and radiotherapy remain the standard treatment options to treat prostate cancer, advocates argue that expanding access to focal therapy could help thousands of eligible men receive effective treatment with fewer long-term side effects. 

Duncan hopes sharing his own experience will encourage both policymakers and patients to consider the option where appropriate.

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English actor and former Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan recently urged health authorities to make focal therapy more available for prostate cancer patients. He said after describing the treatment as "life-changing" following his own diagnosis in 2019. This comes as new evidence has been emerging that the minimally invasive approach can offer satisfactory cancer control compared to traditional treatments, while also significantly reducing long-term side effects. The 72-year-old broadcaster revealed that he was initially offered a prostatectomy, a surgery that removes the entire prostate gland. Instead, he opted for focal therapy, a targeted treatment that destroys only the cancerous portion of the prostate while preserving healthy tissue. "It was a complete success, and I've only experienced very minor after-effects, allowing me to continue with my life as before," Duncan said, while backing Prostate Cancer UK's campaign for wider NHS access to the treatment. "Many men aren't given the same chance I was, and that needs to change." Importance Of Focal Therapy In Prostate Cancer TreatmentAlso read: Tadalafil: Common Male-Potency Drug May Raise Glaucoma Risk In Men, Finds StudyDuncan's campaign comes amid growing clinical evidence supporting focal therapy for selected patients with localised prostate cancer. A recent report from researchers at Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust found that focal therapy shows promise in cancer treatment compared to surgery and radiotherapy while causing far fewer complications in some patients. Prostate Cancer UK is now calling on the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to consider the latest evidence so more eligible patients can access the treatment through the NHS. Amy Rylance, Director of Health Services, Equity and Improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said the delay in wider approval is leaving thousands of men with no access to treatments that could preserve their quality of life. "Without a timeline from NICE, we simply don't know how long men will have to wait for approval on the NHS," she said. "Thousands of men will have to deal with life-changing side effects simply because of their postcode." More About Focal TherapyAlso read: WHO Cancer Agency Flags 3 Common Medicines As Carcinogenic: What It Means For Millions Of PatientsUnlike prostatectomy or radiotherapy, focal therapy targets only the tumour inside the prostate. The treatment may use high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) or cryotherapy to destroy cancer cells while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue. Because the rest of the prostate and surrounding nerves are preserved, patients may generally face a much lower risk of urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and bowel problems. Focal therapy is not suitable for everyone. Specialists say it is generally considered for men with localised, clinically significant prostate cancer where imaging and biopsy show that the tumour can be accurately targeted. Patients still require long-term monitoring after treatment to ensure the cancer has not returned or progressed. Can Focal Therapy Help?          Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK. According to Prostate Cancer UK, around one in eight men will be diagnosed during their lifetime, with the risk increasing with age, family history and Black ethnicity. While surgery and radiotherapy remain the standard treatment options to treat prostate cancer, advocates argue that expanding access to focal therapy could help thousands of eligible men receive effective treatment with fewer long-term side effects. Duncan hopes sharing his own experience will encourage both policymakers and patients to consider the option where appropriate.

why english actor peter duncan is advocating for focal therapy after his prostate cancer treatment?

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Why English Actor Peter Duncan Is Advocating For Focal Therapy After His Prostate Cancer Treatment?

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Why English Actor Peter Duncan Is Advocating For Focal Therapy After His Prostate Cancer Treatment?

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