A CAMPAIGN group has revealed wide differences in how many people die from prostate cancer across south Essex.

Research by Prostate Cancer Charter for Action shows death rates for men living in Rayleigh, Rochford and Southend is above the national average – but those in Castle Point, Basildon and Billericay fall below.

The study looked at how many people died from prostate cancer in all 529 of England’s Parliamentary constituencies.

It found that although treatment for prostate cancer was improving overall, there were cancer blackspots and the gap between the best and worst had increased by 45 per cent over the past year.

Across England, on average 25 deaths per 100,000 people could be attributed to prostate cancer, the most common form of cancer in men.

With a death rate of just 15 per 100,000 people, Rochford and Southend East has the tenth best figures in the country. The death rate in Southend West is 20 per 100,000, while Thurrock was 25 per 100,000, which is the national average.

But in both Basildon and Billericay 27 deaths per 100,000 were down to the disease, rising to 28 in Castle Point.

However, health chiefs argue the discrepancies are down to more complex reasons than the treatment available to patients.

In south Essex, the vast majority of prostate cancer patients are treated at Southend Hospital’s specialist cancer unit, making it extremely unlikely the differences are down to care or facilities.

The hospital offers all three recognised types of treatment for the disease – prostate brachytherapy which sends radioactive pellets into the prostate to kill the cancer, external radiotherapy treatment, and surgery to remove the cancer.

Ann Tull, urology and oncology clinical nurse specialist at Southend Hospital, said: “We work as a very close team. All new cases are discussed and we have dedicated clinical nurses and specialists.

“We are pleased that Southend has fared well in this table.”

However, Dr Andrea Atherton, director of public health for NHS South East Essex, warned the statistics should be treated with caution.

She said: “There are limitations to what conclusions can be drawn from this data.

“When considering issues such as specific cancer deaths on a small area basis, these are likely to be relatively small numbers and even a small increase in deaths can translate into a large percentage increase.”

The influence of poverty on death rates is borne out by the charter’s research which shows men in the Tottenham area of London are almost five times more likely to die of the disease than more affluent men living in South East Cambridgshire, which had the least deaths from the disease.

Rebecca Hughes, NHS South West Essex spokesperson, said: “There are numerous reasons for health inequalities, including inherited, genetic, social and or environmental factors.

“Literacy, education and income levels influence people’s lifestyles, which has a strong influence on conditions such as cancer.”

If you are suffering from prostate cancer and would like some advice or support, call Southend and East Essex Urology Cancer Support Group on 01702 383369.