Prostate Cancer: National Screening Programme

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff Excerpts

Thursday 27th February 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

Again, I am sure that the noble Baroness would agree that the important thing is that people ensure that they do not ignore the situation. I agree that the situation that we inherited was hugely difficult, particularly in some areas, around GPs. In the 10-year plan, which will be published in the coming months, there will be a big focus on the move from sickness to prevention, from analogue to digital, and from hospital to community. In all three pillars, greater access to GP appointments will be included.

[Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (CB)]

My Lords, as the Minister rightly highlighted, there are detection gaps, and one in 50 people have aggressive disease at the time of diagnosis. When this proves to be hormone-therapy or chemotherapy resistant, how many centres can offer strontium, which can be very effective for metastatic bone pain, as that is how some people present?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I was glad to have the opportunity to discuss this with the noble Baroness. Having looked into it, we do not currently hold this data. However, where strontium therapy is appropriate and preferred to improve patient outcomes, it will be offered. This is, of course, a clinical decision.