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 135 men with prostate cancer across Surrey and Sussex. They are now being managed in secondary care. The final evaluation will be available in early autumn.

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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.    HSJ Partnership Awards Winners 2023_HC_1080x1080_13.jpg 

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 
Emmanuel Okorie, from Guildford, was diagnosed with prostate cancer through the Targeted Prostate Health Check. Here, he encourages black men aged 45 years-plus to have a PSA test - "It is just a simple blood test and nothing to be afraid of".
Richard Flashman, from Guildford, was diagnosed with prostate cancer through the Targeted Prostate Health Check project. Here, he talks about his experience of having the test and the shock of discovering he had prostate cancer.
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Who is at highest risk of prostate cancer?

  • Lifetime risk for any man is 1:8
  • Lifetime risk for black men is 1:4
  • Men with family history of prostate cancer in first degree relative (2.5 times more likely)
  • Men with a family history of prostate cancer in a second-degree relative (2 times more likely).The risk is higher if a relative was diagnosed under the age of 60 or if he has more than one relative with prostate cancer
  • Men with a mother or sister who has had breast cancer, especially if diagnosed under the aged of 60 and had mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (up to 20% increase over lifetime risk)
  • Increasing age: 99% of diagnosed men are over 50 with an average age of diagnosis between 65 and 69 years old.
  • Source: Cancer Research UK and Prostate Cancer UK
Click here to learn more about the HSJ Partnership award win for the Targeted Prostate Health Check