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Don't die of
embarrassment!
DON'T die of embarrassment! That is
the message to men throughout Merseyside to mark:- 'Prostate Cancer Awareness
Month' this month.
It is the UK's 2nd biggest cancer killer claiming 10,000 lives a year, but
it seems that many men are still putting off a visit to their doctors for a
very quick test that can tell them if they are in the clear or if they need
treatment. And it is this delay that is responsible for many prostate cancer
deaths according to Consultant Urologist Mr Phil Cornford.
Now Mr Cornford, who practices at Spire Liverpool Hospital in, Greenbank
Road, Liverpool, is urging everyone to bring the subject into the open in
order to encourage men to:- 'take the test'.
"There isn't any point skirting around the subject, the most common
test involves a digital examination; that means the doctor feeling inside
the man's back passage; it's a simple as that! It is common practice for the
doctor, usually takes less than a minute, is relatively pain and can save
your life; so what are you waiting for! Many men are embarrassed by the
thought of this and so put off the test. I want people to use Awareness
Month to discuss prostate cancer and help men overcome their reluctance to
get themselves tested." he said.
The causes of prostate cancer are largely unknown, but what is certain is
that chances of developing it increase in men over 50 years of age. Although
it is more common in men of African Caribbean or African descent it is
actually less common in men of Asian descent.
Men whose father or brother has been affected by prostate cancer are also at
higher risk of being affected themselves.
"A blood test known as a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test can be
the first step to checking for cancer, but this can only supply an
'indicator' and the truth is a digital examination will most likely be
needed afterwards. The problem with the PSA test is that levels can be
raised by non cancerous growths or urinary infections of the prostate. But
it is better to be safe than sorry and, if necessary, a follow up digital
examination will then allow doctors to be much more exact in their
diagnosis. The good news is that, if spotted in time, prostate cancer
is very treatable with latest figures showing that 84% of those treated live
for 10 years or more after treatment," said Mr John Mccabe, also a Consultant Urologist
at Spire Liverpool.
Prostate Cancer Facts:-
► Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men.
► Over 44,000 men are diagnosed with
prostate cancer every year; that's more than 120 men every day.
► Every hour 1 man dies from prostate
cancer; that's more than 10,500 men every year.
► 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer in
their lifetime.
► Over 330,000 men are living with and
after prostate cancer. |
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West Lancashire
community services tender
LAST summer NHS Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)
and NHS West Lancashire CCG agreed to tender the adult community services
that have been provided by the Trust since 2011.
The services were split into 3 lots for which both NHS and private
sector providers could bid:-
► Integrated community services for Southport and Formby.
► Integrated community service for West Lancashire.
► GP out of hours, walk-in services and acute visiting in West Lancashire.
The 1st stage of the tender process is called the pre-qualification
questionnaire (PQQ). It is a shortlisting tool used to check the bidding
organisation's credentials as a healthcare provider. The Trust submitted its PQQs by the January deadline.
Southport and Formby CCG is still considering our submission; however, NHS
West Lancashire CCG has announced that the Trust was unsuccessful in
clearing this stage.
Details of the successful organisations, which include private providers
Optum Health Solutions and Virgin Care Services, are published on the CCG's
website.
Interim Chief Executive Ann Marr said:- "This is a very disappointing
decision. Our community based staff provide excellent care to patients in
their homes and in clinics every day of the week. The Trust very much values
their hard work and commitment, and patient satisfaction is high.
We have ambitious plans to add new services, which would completely
transform the way that care is delivered in our community, and provide
services more tailored to patients' needs. We will seek clarification about
why the CCG has chosen not to support this model of innovative, integrated
care."
A decision on the PQQ for NHS Southport and Formby CCG's integrated
community services is due to be announced in April 2016. This is a separate
process unconnected to the West Lancashire decision.
Is a 'White Easter' really heading
to the UK? DID you know
statistically a 'White Easter' is more common in the UK than a
'White Christmas'? Meteorologists generally define 4 seasons
in many climatic areas:- spring, summer, autumn (fall) and winter, so
Monday, 1 March 2016, will be the 1st day of spring! But sadly do not put
your gloves away just yet... Oddly in the UK we are more likely to see snow
between January and March and this year the we might just have a
'White Easter' after all. Back in
January, we said we might get snowfall
through out the UK and now forecasters are telling us a polar plunge set to
bring ice and sub zero temperatures for March. So what do you think? Will
you be making a bet on a:- 'White Easter' and singing:-
'I'm dreaming of a white Easter, just like the ones I used to know....'?
Email us to:-
News24@SouthportReporter.com, with your
thoughts on this wintry topic. |
