Tracey has pledged to support the swift implementation of a Prostate Cancer UK initiative in Medway to help men with prostate cancer receive the best possible care and support, regardless of where they live.

This comes as new analysis uncovered vast variations in the care that men with prostate cancer receive across the whole of England. The evidence further highlights that, despite recent improvements, the disease lags behind the treatment of other common cancers in key areas such as availability of Specialist Nurses, provision of information and support.

In a bid to help stamp out these inequalities, Prostate Cancer UK has produced a Quality Checklist to be used as a best practice guide for men and clinicians. The checklist sets out 15 national standards for care and support that men with prostate cancer should expect and demand, from the point of their diagnosis through to the end of their life.

Tracey showed her support for the Quality Checklist at a campaigning event held at Westminster last week where she met with people affected by prostate cancer from across the country.

Tracey said: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and it is incredibly important that we do all we can to ensure all men with prostate cancer get the care and support they need. I am therefore delighted to endorse Prostate Cancer UK’s Quality Checklist, and call on local clinical commissioning groups to ensure it is adopted as soon as possible to help all men who are diagnosed with the disease.”

Dr Sarah Cant, Director of Policy and Campaigns at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “There are over 215,000 men living with prostate cancer in England, many of whom have to make difficult treatment choices or cope with tough side effects. It’s not good enough that that they also face a postcode lottery when it comes to the quality of support and information they receive to deal with this. It is vital that every man with prostate cancer has access to the world class information, care and support he needs and deserves if we are to help men have a better quality of life in the future.”

“We are delighted that Tracey has shown her support for men with prostate cancer by endorsing our Quality Checklist and urgently call on healthcare providers and commissioners to follow this lead. Men with prostate cancer deserve the best, and we’re absolutely determined that’s exactly what they are going to get.”

The charity is working closely with men and their families, healthcare providers, politicians and health professionals to ensure that the checklist is adopted and implemented throughout the UK.

To view the Quality Checklist please visit www.prostatecanceruk.org/qualitycare