The NHS is set to contact more than 500,000 men across England as part of a groundbreaking research programme designed to transform the early detection, treatment and long-term care of prostate cancer.
The initiative, known as Prostate Progress, is being led by Prostate Cancer Research and supported by the NHS's DigiTrials recruitment service. It aims to become one of the largest prostate cancer research resources in the world by gathering insights from men who are living with, or have previously been diagnosed with, the disease.
Eligible participants will begin receiving letters and text messages from this week, inviting them to register and contribute to research that could shape the future of prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment and patient care.
The programme will collect detailed information from participants through regular questionnaires about their experiences of living with prostate cancer. Researchers will also be able to securely link this feedback with NHS health records, providing a richer understanding of how the disease affects patients over time.
By analysing both clinical data and patient-reported experiences, researchers hope to identify new ways to improve diagnosis, develop more effective treatments, monitor treatment safety and enhance quality of life for patients.
The insights generated are also expected to support the design of future clinical trials and inform the development of NHS cancer services.
A key objective of Prostate Progress is to improve representation among Black men, who face significantly higher risks of developing prostate cancer. Around one in four Black men in the UK is expected to receive a prostate cancer diagnosis during their lifetime, with the risk estimated to be approximately twice that of other groups.
Researchers hope greater participation from Black communities will provide vital data to better understand differences in diagnosis, treatment experiences and outcomes, helping to reduce inequalities in cancer care.
Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, with approximately 60,000 new cases identified each year and more than 12,000 deaths annually.
The programme aligns with wider government ambitions to strengthen cancer research and innovation through the forthcoming National Cancer Plan for England, which aims to expand access to clinical trials, accelerate the adoption of innovations and make the NHS a leading destination for cancer research.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer, said:
“Prostate cancer affects the lives of tens of thousands of men every year – and we’ve seen survival rates rising in recent decades thanks to ground-breaking research and clinical trials.
“It’s really important that we understand how prostate cancer affects men’s lives in detail, which is why we’re joining forces with the charity Prostate Cancer Research, so we can continue to transform care and treatment.
“We’ll be contacting over half a million men over the next few months who have or who have had prostate cancer, and I’d urge anyone who receives an invite to Prostate Progress to sign up.
“Joining Prostate Progress today will make a tremendous difference to the lives of men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the future.”
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