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Thousands of men with prostate cancer will be given a life-extending drug on the NHS, following a three-year battle to expand access. Abiraterone, a drug that stops the production of testosterone to slow cancer growth, was already available to men whose prostate cancer had spread.

But NHS England will now offer it to men with high-risk cancer that has not yet spread. Around 2,000 men diagnosed in the last three months will get the drug if it is of clinical benefit, while a further 7,000 men each year are likely to be eligible.

Clinical trials show that the proportion of men alive after six years on abiraterone is 86% compared to 77% on standard treatment (hormone therapy with or without radiotherapy).

Professor Nick James from the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London led the research that proved abiraterone is effective for men whose prostate cancer has not spread.

He said the expansion was "really good news for men in England", adding: "Our data from the Stampede trial shows that two years of abiraterone halves the risk of prostate cancer coming back and reduces risk of death by 40%.

"In the next five years, almost 8,000 men will avoid the devastating news that their cancer has come back. Even for men whose cancer does recur, this treatment gives them more healthy years."

Prostate Cancer UK has lobbied the Government for more than three years to end a postcode lottery which meant the drug was available to such men in Scotland and Wales, but not England.

It is estimated that the decision to widen eligibility could save 3,000 men's lives over the next five years.

Amy Rylance, the charity's assistant director of health improvement, said: "This decision is a momentous, life-saving victory for the thousands of men whose lives will now be saved.

"Until now, men in England have found themselves in an impossible situation. It's terrifying to be told you've got a cancer that's likely to spread - to then find out you can't access the treatment that science has proven to be your best chance at surviving is completely devastating."

NHS England said the rollout had been made possible thanks to the health service buying and delivering treatments at better value.

Professor Peter Johnson, national clinical director for cancer, said: "The life-extending treatment available on the NHS within weeks will mean thousands of men can kick-start their year with the news that they will have a better chance of living longer and healthier lives.

"The NHS will continue to work hard to offer people the most effective and evidence-based treatments, with several new prostate cancer drugs rolled out over the last five years."