In the UK, about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer isn’t linked to any clear preventable causes but risk does increase with age, ethnicity (black men) and family history. (See 'who is at highest risk of prostate cancer').
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in fewer people presenting to their GP and therefore a reduction in the number of referrals to hospital for further investigation. This meant an estimated shortfall across Surrey, Sussex and Frimley of 640 prostate first treatments between March 2020 – September 2021. (Source: COSD Rapid Cancer Registration Dataset)
To find those missing men, we worked with NHS partner and virtual hospital provider, Medefer, to pilot a new service in August 2022 to identify and offer non-invasive prostate tests to eligible males. The Targeted Prostate Health Check was initially set up as a pilot in east Guildford and has been rolled out across 13 Primary Care Networks in the following areas: Addlestone, Bracknell, Chertsey, Farnborough, Horsham, Guildford, Redhill, Slough, Fleet and Yateley.
The final clinics for the Targeted Prostate Health Check have now come to a close. To date, the project has identified 205 men with prostate cancer across Frimley, Surrey and Sussex. They are now being managed in secondary care.
How it worked:
The Targeted Prostate Health Check used case finding to search GP records and identify males with risk factors for prostate cancer, based on age, ethnicity, and family history. These men were then invited to complete a survey about their risk factors and eligible males were then invited for a PSA test at local clinics. 
In March 2023, the pilot won the Most Effective Contribution to Clinical Redesign in the HSJ Partnership Awards and in November 2023 the Targeted Prostate Health Check was a finalist in the HSJ awards.
Hear the experiences of two men diagnosed with prostate cancer through the Targeted Prostate Health Check
