A COUNCILLOR has backed a campaign for prostate screening after it was revealed sufferers in Barnsley had the highest death rate in England.
Coun Len Picken, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago, wants a national drive to raise awareness of the disease.
The cancer of the prostate gland, which primarily affects men over 45, kills 37 in every 100,000 people in Barnsley compared to the national average of 24.
"I think it's really important that people get tested as testing would save lives," said the St Helen's ward councillor.
"A lot of men are a bit backwards in coming forward about going to the doctors and don't go soon enough. Men can be a little lax at getting things checked. They think everything will go away but it doesn't happen like that.
Prostate Cancer Charity spokesman Sarah Cant said survival rate figures showed there was a postcode lottery in treatment. Elisabeth Shassere, director of public health for Barnsley, said NHS Barnsley had a strategy to reduce all cancers and hoped this would result in the number of prostate cancer deaths falling.
Full story in this week's Chronicle
