Victory for Prostate Cancer Sufferers

11.50.21am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 31st Jan 2007

The First Minister for Wales yesterday revealed yesterday that a service to provide brachytherapy at Velindre Hospital in Cardiff would be established in a matter of days.

Jenny Randerson AM for Cardiff Central said "I am sure that were it not for the vociferous campaigning by members of the public, many of whom I have worked with, then this valuable service would continue to have been denied to prostate cancer sufferers.

"It has been too long coming and were it not for the procrastination of the Labour Government then the issue could have been resolved a long time ago.

"A matter of months ago Velindre was not able to accept an offer of free equipment for brachytherapy because they could not afford to run it.

"There are now over 30,000 cases per year of Prostate Cancer and rising. Prostate cancer could soon overtake breast cancer in terms of incidents. It may not have the celebrity support but its treatment is just as vital.

Ends/diwedd

Contact/cyswllt: Andrew Sherwood - 029 2089 8324

Embargo: Immediate