Biggest prostate cancer screening set to start in the UK
Loved ones could be spared the tragedy of losing someone close to them as a huge prostate cancer screening service, which includes MRI scans, is set to be trialled in the UK.
The government and Prostate Cancer UK have just announced a £42m investment into a new, first-of-its-king trial called TRANSFORM. The trial is set to use innovative screening methods such as MRI scans to detect prostate cancer – the most common form of cancer in men in the UK.
As it stands, tragically, 12,000 men die of the disease every year.
£16m will be invested by the government for the trial through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and Prostate Cancer UK, who have led the development of the trial, will provide £26m.
Victoria Atkins, the health, and social care secretary said: ‘Cancer survival rates continue to improve in the UK, with the disease being diagnosed at an earlier stage more often. But more must be done.
‘Our hope is that this funding will help to save the lives of thousands more men through advanced screening methods that can catch prostate cancer as early as possible.’
In addition, Laura Kerby, chief executive at Prostate Cancer UK, has expressed the company’s excitement to be participating in such a life-changing project.
‘12,000 men die of prostate cancer each year and it’s the most common cancer that doesn’t have a national screening programme,’ said Laura. ‘It’s about time that changed. That’s why we’re launching our biggest and most ambitious trial ever. It will finally give us the answers we need to develop a routine testing system and save thousands of men each year.’
Laura added: ‘Prostate Cancer UK’s unique focus and expertise made us the only organisation that could really deliver this paradigm-shifting trial, and we’re delighted that the government has backed our vision to revolutionise diagnosis.’
As well as the trial being revolutionary towards helping detect prostate cancer in men, it will be focusing on men of colour. Research shows that one in four black men will develop the disease, which is double the chances of other men. As a result, one in 10 men invited to take part will be black men. Those that are in the trial will be aged between 50 to 75, with black men eligible from the lower age range of 45 to 75.
The trial is due to commence in spring 2024.
Image: marijana1
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