(Source-express.co_.uk)
TV personality Stephen Fry is urging prostate cancer patients to participate in a groundbreaking research endeavor with the potential to save countless lives. Fry, who announced his battle with prostate cancer in March 2018, has become a vocal advocate for early detection and intervention.
Stephen Fry stunned fans when he revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis in an extended video on his personal blog. He detailed his health struggles and explained his absence from the public eye due to his fight for survival. The diagnosis came as a shock to Fry, who had initially gone to his doctor for a routine flu jab. During a health check-up, blood tests revealed an elevated level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prompting further investigation.
The Journey to Diagnosis
Fry admitted he wasn’t overly concerned at first and wasn’t fully aware of the significance of the prostate gland. However, an MRI scan conducted to alleviate his doctor’s concerns revealed “something rather mischievous,” leading to a referral to a specialist and a subsequent transrectal biopsy. This was followed by a PET scan with gallium to highlight any cancerous cells in his body.
Thankfully, the cancer had not spread extensively, but a lymph node did show irregularities, necessitating active surveillance. Fry’s treatment options included radiation therapy and the full removal of the prostate gland. In January, he underwent surgery, during which 11 lymph nodes were also extracted. It was discovered that his cancer was more aggressive than initially perceived.
Advocacy for Early Detection
Following his diagnosis and successful treatment, Fry has been a staunch advocate for early detection. He believes his “life was saved” by the early intervention and has urged men, particularly those “of a certain age,” to get their PSA levels checked. He emphasizes that one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, highlighting the importance of regular screenings.
Prostate Progress Initiative
The NHS, in collaboration with the Prostate Cancer Research charity, has launched a new initiative called Prostate Progress. This project aims to revolutionize patient care and treatment for prostate cancer by offering unique access to healthcare data. Prostate Progress has been selected to participate in NHS England’s Data for Research and Development Programme, marking the beginning of a series of ‘driver projects’ designed to promote innovative uses of health data.
The initiative ensures safe and secure access to clinical data from prostate cancer patients who consent to participate, along with data inputted directly by the patients, such as their feelings and the real-life impacts of their cancer and its treatment. By combining these two sets of data, researchers hope to gain unique insights into prostate cancer, develop new treatments and tests, improve diagnosis, monitor the safety of treatments, and plan new NHS services.
A Beacon of Hope
Stephen Fry has thrown his support behind Prostate Progress, describing it as “a beacon of hope in the fight against prostate cancer, a disease that impacts countless lives globally.” He believes that by harnessing the power of personal health information, researchers can unlock vital insights, leading to groundbreaking advancements in treatment and early detection.
“By participating in Prostate Progress, we empower researchers to develop new, effective, and humane treatments,” Fry stated. “We can bring the world closer to a future where prostate cancer is no longer a threat and where early detection and effective treatment save lives.”
Fry is passionate about the initiative and encourages others living with a diagnosis to join him in this vital research effort. “I am excited to be part of Prostate Progress and urge others to participate. Together, we can make a significant difference in the fight against prostate cancer.”
