1 in 8 men in the UK will get prostate cancer during their life. Some good news has emerged in two drugs that have been found to hold the disease at bay and extend lives. This has been hailed as a big step forward in the battle against this horrible disease. These findings will provide a pathway for the drug Olaparib to be approved and become the standard treatment for men with certain types of advanced prostate cancer.
Furthermore, Ipatasertib has also been found to help sufferers and lead to a material reduction in the risk of the disease worsening and acts as a form of roadblock.
Matthew Hobbs, director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “these results represent a real breakthrough for men with advanced prostate cancer. Olaparib and Ipatasertib mark a new era for treatment, one based on a detailed understanding of each man’s cancer rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach.
“Precision medicines like these holds enormous potential and could radically reduce the number of men dying from prostate cancer.”
The study was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. And, whilst further trials are required before a figure could be put on the survivability numbers, the drug has been approved by the US Food and Drug administration based on an earlier stage of the trial.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, however did you know that most men with early prostate cancer don’t have any symptoms? The key risk factors are getting older (it mainly affects men over 50); having a family history of prostate cancer; and being BAME. We know you’ve got 30 seconds available right now so head over to [Prostate Cancer UK](https://prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker) and do the risk checker that is available there. Speak to your GP – even if by phone or video consultation and don’t delay just because of covid-19.
