Prostate cancer treatment backed

Mr Morgan told AMs that brachytherapy will be available from April at the Velindre Hospital in Cardiff.

It follows a campaign from sufferers, who claimed they were denied a treatment already available in England.

Earlier, cancer drug campaigner Jayne Sullivan had said she would stage a sit-in at the assembly's home, the Senedd, to demand immediate treatment.

In a statement Health Minister Dr Brian Gibbons said: "Our intention is that Velindre will offer an all-Wales service".

"Brachytherapy can be provided on an out-patient basis, with assessment and follow-up care provided in the patient's own locality.

"Recent changes to assembly government rules mean that travelling expenses can be claimed for cancer treatment."

Dr Gibbons said that patients from north Wales would be assessed and referred for treatment either to Velindre or an alternative provider.

'Anxious wait'

"Health Commission Wales (HCW) will review, individually, those patients whose need for treatment occurs before the Velindre service is available and commission accordingly.

"In the meantime, no patient will be without treatment for their cancer as the other two forms of effective treatment, wide beam radiotherapy and surgery, are available."

Jayne Sullivan, who campaigned to make the breast cancer drug Herceptin available last year, had told BBC Radio Wales she would stage a sit-in on Wednesday night, demanding immediate action on brachytherapy treatment. After the announcement, Ms Sullivan called off her sit-in.

Brachytherapy had been available for two years, but HCW withdrew funding last year, although it has been carrying out a review.

It is becoming recognised as an alternative to both radical surgery and standard radiotherapy for prostate cancer treatment.

It involves radioactive seeds being implanted directly into the prostate gland.

Plaid Cymru AM Owen John Thomas welcomed the announcement but said he was disappointed there was not a "categorical assurance" of funding for patients needing urgent treatment.

"It's been a long and anxious wait for many prostate cancer patients in and today's news is a step forward but until the Velindre treatment centre is operational, the minister must promise to fund patients to obtain the treatment in England."

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Men's health
Health Commission Wales
Prostate Cancer Charity
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