WINSFORD cancer campaigner, Gary Steele, wants the Government to ‘see sense’, and make a life changing drug more widely available on the NHS.

Degarelix has been proven to reduce cardiovascular problems associated with other hormone therapy drugs used in the treatment of prostate cancer.

While the drug has been available in the UK for five years, new NICE guidance restricts its use to men with symptoms of spinal compression – reducing the number of men eligible from approximately 3,520 to less than 520 patients per year (85 per cent fewer).

“We have been trying to get NICE to see sense with the drugs that have now been tested for prostate cancer and are proving exceptionally good for those of us who find ourselves with an advanced cancer,” said Gary.

“We are hoping NICE will consider cardiovascular evidence and omit limitations to help thousands more men to cope with their diagnosis.”

Gary is a trustee of the Prostate Cancer Support Federation, which runs the Tackle campaign calling for wider use of Degarelix.

David Smith, honorary secretary of Tackle, said the drug would fix the problems his current treatment presents for his heart –which has to work harder because of his lung fibrosis.

“Degarelix can help improve life and reduce heart problems to many other patients such as myself,” he said.

“NICE keep delaying drug approvals and limiting them seemingly unnecessarily, and Tackle will always look to dispute this to help improve and prolong lives.”

Meanwhile, Gary’s Leighton Prostate Cancer Support Group is holding a testing session at Winsford Conservatives Club on Wednesday, July 16.

The event between 7pm-10pm will allow men aged over 40 to get an early detection prostate cancer screening for £10.

The evening is in memory of local man, Ron Swift, who recently died of prostate cancer.

Ron’s wife and family are urging men to go along and get tested.

The £10 donation will allow the Leighton Group to continue saving lives by providing early detection sessions.

To book a place, call Gary on 01606 553097.