Cancer care on wallet size

THIS IS HOW I SEE IT

- JJ Anisiobi

LET me get this straight: in 2025, a man’s chances of surviving prostate cancer can still be predicted by the size of his wallet and the quality of his postcode? Wealthy areas are seeing improvements, earlier diagnoses, quicker referrals — meanwhile, working-class men are essentially told: “Good luck, mate, hope you’ve written a will.”

How is that even remotely fair? This is healthcare by postcode lottery. Am I supposed to believe that because I come from a working-class background I’m more likely to die purely because the NHS can’t be bothered to reach men like me? Apparently, yes.

The data tells a brutal story. Better-off areas are racing ahead while deprived communities are lagging behind like a knackered old Ford Fiesta on the M1.