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.
How does it work:
The Targeted Prostate Health Check uses case finding to search GP records and identify males with risk factors for prostate cancer, based on age, ethnicity, and family history. These men are then invited to complete a survey about their risk factors and eligible males are then invited for a PSA test at local clinics.
The Targeted Prostate Health Check is currently live in the following areas: Addlestone, Bracknell, Chertsey, Farnborough, Horsham, Guildford, Redhill, Slough, Fleet and Yateley.
The latest data shows that more than 60 men from across the alliance footprint have been identified with prostate cancer and are now being managed in secondary care.
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.