Prostate Cancer Support Federation

Charity Nº: 1123373

1

• We have no national screening programme for the most common cancer in men and the only test we have can suffer from poor sensitivity and specificity

• Management decisions on treatment are personal and can be complex. E.g. over-diagnosis, over-treatment, use of MRI, biopsies

• Primary care awareness still needs to be improved • Availability of drugs for advanced prostate cancer is a real issue• Emerging best practice needs to be better reflected in NICE

guidelines • Side effects of treatment are not universally well managed

(continence, ED, emotional, psychological problems)

Patient Observations

Prostate Cancer Support Federation

Charity Nº: 1123373

2

My Gold Standard Pathway

Risk Assessme

nt & Referral

SharedDecision Making

Diagnosis

Information&

Support

Accessto

Treatment

Non-curative

Care

Shared Care

SupportedSelf

Management

Access to Specialist

MDT

Prostate Cancer Support Federation

Charity Nº: 1123373

3

My Gold Standard Pathway

My symptoms and concerns have been taken seriously, and if I am at risk of prostate cancer it will be diagnosed sufficiently early to give me the best possible outcome.

I will receive the most effective diagnostic options for my condition to be accurately graded and staged no matter where I live.

My treatment options, whilst primarily driven by clinical expertise, take into consideration my personal circumstances and preferences. I feel comfortable with the information presented for me to make an informed decision on my treatment.

I will have access to treatments offering me the best chance of controlling my cancer and that gives me the best quality of life regardless of where I live.

I have a personalised care plan that provides me with a ‘roadmap’ of what lies ahead. I understand the process for reviewing it with my CNS.

My ongoing care will include access to any specialist services or support that I and/or my partner will require. This should give me the best chance of returning to ‘normal’ either after my treatment or whilst living with my cancer.

I have the opportunity to take control of my condition and treatment, while still being supported by appropriate medical experts.

I see evidence of joined-up thinking in the ongoing support and advice I receive, irrespective of who I need to contact.

I have access to all the services that will help me achieve the best quality of life at this time, enabling me to come to terms with situations that I have never had to face before. This means I don’t have to wait until I need end of life care to get the help that I need now.