Government announces over £20 million of taxpayers' money to improve prostate cancer research and treatment, including improving access to a major trial for Black men
Men at highest risk of prostate cancer will benefit from research to find the best screening strategy and more treatment choices under a major new £20 million package announced today (Tuesday 2 June).
A landmark prostate cancer screening trial will be expanded so that for the first time, all eligible Black men will be invited to take part. The TRANSFORM study - jointly funded by Prostate Cancer UK and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) - is testing the best ways to detect prostate cancer earlier and save more lives, while avoiding unnecessary treatment and the associated harms.
The move recognises that Black men face a higher risk of prostate cancer and aims to build the evidence needed to find the best screening strategy and tackle long-standing inequalities.
To ensure the expansion reaches Black men from all communities, supported by the funding from NIHR, the TRANSFORM investigators are working with Prostate Cancer UK to boost community engagement around the country and encourage Black men to take part in the trial.
The Secretary of State will also host a roundtable alongside the Deputy Prime Minister with representatives of local community organisations - supported by Prostate Cancer UK and the NIHR - this week to hear directly from community organisations about their work supporting Black men to be part of this research.
The government is also broadening access to focal therapies. These are less invasive treatments that target prostate cancer, giving men greater choice about their options when they receive a new diagnosis.
Alongside this, the government have accepted a recommendation from the independent UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) to introduce England’s first targeted prostate cancer screening programme.
Men who carry the BRCA2 gene variant and have a family history of prostate, breast, pancreatic or ovarian cancer will be offered a PSA test every two years between the ages of 45 and 61. The final recommendation follows a public consultation that received nearly 1000 responses, with the programme expected to be rolling out in 2027.
Health and Social Care Secretary, James Murray said:
Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, said:
Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR, said:
Laura Kerby, Chief Executive at Prostate Cancer UK, said:
Director of policy at Cancer Research UK, Dr Ian Walker, said:
Actor, Colin McFarlane, said:
Matt Green (AKA The Rapping Science Teacher), said:
Charles Kwaku-Odoi DL, Chief Executive, Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN), said:
Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said:
The independent UK NSC recommendation recognises that a national screening programme for all men could lead to large numbers being diagnosed and treated for cancers that would never have caused harm. This targeted approach focuses testing where the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.
The government is also working with the UK Cancer Genetics Group (UKCGG) and Cancer Research UK (CRUK) to explore guidance to help GPs support men with a suspected family history of prostate cancer who are not eligible for screening but ask about a PSA test.
Guidance for GPs and the public will be updated in line with the new recommendation to make advice clearer and easier to follow, including ensuring that for those men where existing clinical guidance recommends annual tests are offered, that offer will be continued
From 2027 men diagnosed with prostate cancer that is being actively monitored or treated will be able to order a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) tests at home, or book an in-person blood test locally through the NHS App.
More widely, the government is making strong progress on cancer, with around 95,000 more patients receiving a diagnosis or the all-clear for suspected cancer on time as compared to last year. The recently published National Cancer Plan will ensure patients get a faster diagnosis, quicker treatment and the support to live well.
As results come in from trials like TRANSFORM and the evidence base develops, the UK NSC will keep recommendations under review to ensure screening policy continues to reflect the best available science.
Karen Robb, Director of Program Implementation for Cancer at Movember, said:
Vishwanath Hanchanale, Chair of the BAUS Section of Oncology, said:
Background
o Black men aged 45 to 74 are eligible.
o Residents in the UK.
o Must not have had a PSA test or prostate MRI scan in the last 5 years
Comments
Comments are currently closed.