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More Than Half Of Adults In North East Of England Wrongly Believe Available Parkinson’s Treatments Can Halt Or Slow The Condition

●Current treatments only mask the symptoms of the condition, which affects 145,000 people in the UK, including 5,866 in the North East of England
●The charity Parkinson’s UK said public misconceptions are ‘really worrying and and could hold back progress towards finding a cure’
●Charity is urging the public to help fund research breakthroughs to find better treatments and a cure now, as part of their ‘Time for Can’ campaign

Parkinson’s UK is calling for people to continue to fund vital research breakthroughs after a survey revealed massive misconceptions around what current treatments can do for 145,000 people living with Parkinson’s in the UK.

New figures released today (Monday 29 November) show that more than half of adults in North East of England (54 per cent) incorrectly think there are Parkinson’s treatments available which can halt or slow the progression of the condition. The reality is that there is currently no cure for the condition and current treatments only mask the symptoms.

“Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world

Parkinson’s UK, Europe’s largest charitable funder of Parkinson’s research, is appealing for the public to support it’s ‘Time for Can’ campaign, which shows the reality of living with Parkinson's and the researchers working towards better treatments and a cure - driven by people’s needs and powered by supporters. The campaign is focused on increasing the public’s understanding of Parkinson’s while highlighting the urgent need for donations.

Dr Beckie Port

Dr Beckie Port, Research Communications Manager at Parkinson’s UK, said:
“Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world and at the moment, there is no way to stop, slow or reverse it. Yet this survey shows that in the North East of England there is a public misconception that we already have the treatments needed to stop the condition in its tracks.

“This is really worrying and could hold back progress towards finding a cure. In fact, as Parkinson’s progresses, higher medication doses are needed to manage its symptoms. This in turn increases side effects, which can be incredibly distressing. For some, medications may successfully manage symptoms for five years or more, but for other people, progression may be much faster.

“Every hour, two more people in the UK find out they have Parkinson’s. Anyone can get it, young or old and it is a serious condition. That’s why we need to drive forward promising research. People with Parkinson’s urgently need better treatments and a cure now, but this can only happen with the support of the public in the North East. With everyone's help, we can discover new treatments and find new therapies to improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s.”

“Better treatments can’t wait”

The UK-wide survey of 2,000 adults also found that more than two-thirds (68 per cent) of adults in the North East of England are unaware of how many symptoms exist for Parkinson’s.

With more than 40 potential symptoms such as lack of sleep, anxiety and stiffness, everyone’s experience of Parkinson’s is different. These symptoms are always there and can impact everyday tasks, leading to ‘can’ts.’ It can have an impact on tasks, such as tying shoelaces, buttering bread to playing with your kids. People may find themselves unable to keep their job, drive and leave their house. The longer a person has Parkinson’s, the harder it gets, which is why better treatments are needed now.

To find out more and donate now to find a cure for Parkinson’s, visit https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/donate