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').

We are working with our partners to improve the earlier identification of prostate cancer by raising awareness of prostate cancer risk factors and supporting rapid access to Prostate Specific Antigen Testing (PSA) and assessment.

In August 2022, we piloted the Targeted Prostate Health Check in the Guildford area with NHS partner and virtual hospital provider Medefer. Prof Langley quote for website.png

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 and urine test at local community clinics.   

The Targeted Prostate Health Check is currently live in the following areas: Redhill, Horsham, Slough, Fleet and north Guildford.HSJ Partnership Awards Winners 2023_HC_1080x1080_13.jpg

The latest data shows that more than 40 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.  

Click here to learn more about the HSJ Partnership award win for the Targeted Prostate Health Check
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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