A new drug formulated to treat prostate cancer has been officially licensed by the European Medicines Authority, meaning it can now be prescribed to patients by those in GP jobs.

The drug, called 'abiraterone acetate', would be taken daily and will be used when a man has already had chemotherapy for his prostate cancer. It is designed specifically to treat cancer in the advanced stages.

Developed in partnership with Cancer Research UK, the drug has been proven to help males live a few months longer - when combined with 'prednisone', a steroid. Symptoms are also improved when taking the drug; generally make life a bit easier.

The CEO of Cancer Research, Harpal Kumar, expressed his joy at the news on Cancerresearchuk.org, stating: "We're delighted to see that abiraterone is now available in the UK, especially given the role Cancer Research UK played in the early stages of its development.

"IT could help treat the 10,000 men diagnosed with aggressive forms of advanced prostate cancer in the UK each year. It's important that promising new drugs are made available to patients who need them."

He wasn't the only person to speak out following the drug's launch, with a spokesperson from the Institute of Cancer Research, Professor Alan Ashworth, adding on Nursingtimes.net: "This drug will make a significant impact on the treatment of men suffering advanced prostate cancer."