Faster, fairer, better – taking our campaign for change to MPs at Westminster

In the UK, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. But only half of cases are found early, when it’s much easier to treat. And if you’re Black or have a family history of the disease, your risk of prostate cancer is at least twice as high. 

On top of this, there are too many barriers blocking men from a simple blood test – and outdated NHS guidance is making health inequalities worse. 

The current system is unjust, it’s unfair and it continues to fail men. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We want the government to take action right now, to change the way we deliver prostate cancer care in the UK. 

The current system is failing men. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Working together, we can save lives by diagnosing the disease faster, fairer and better for men. That’s why we’re taking our campaign straight to the people in power – to make sure they hear our calls for action. 

And on Wednesday 16 October we had the opportunity to speak directly to dozens of MPs at a special event held at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. 

Backed by Clive Efford MP and several other prominent speakers, we launched our first-year plan for the new government – our programme for urgent action. 

In the plan, we set out our case for change in three key areas: 

• Faster 

We urgently need to increase MRI capacity and improve the quality of scans so that prostate cancer can be accurately diagnosed more quickly.  

• Fairer  

Outdated NHS guidance is putting lives at risk because GPs are told not to raise prostate cancer with men unless they have symptoms. This needs to change so that GPs can talk proactively to men at highest risk and give everyone a fair chance of a diagnosis that comes in time for a cure. 

• Better 

We want to see continued support for our ground-breaking research trial, TRANSFORM, which will deliver the definitive evidence we need for a screening programme that could save the lives of thousands of men every year. 

'Sir Chris is one of thousands of men who received their diagnosis too late'

Updating NHS guidelines would help more men get an earlier diagnosis. Men like Sir Chris Hoy, one of Britain's most decorated Olympians, who only found out he had Stage 4 prostate cancer because of a routine scan for shoulder pain. Sadly, Sir Chris is one of thousands of men who received his diagnosis too late.

Laura Kerby, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer UK, said: “1 in 8 men will be affected by prostate cancer in their lifetime, but men like Sir Chris, who are 45 and over and with a family history of the disease, as well as Black men, are at significantly higher risk of prostate cancer at a younger age.

“The PSA blood test is the first step to early diagnosis, yet GPs are prevented from offering this test and discussing prostate cancer risk with men like Sir Chris because of current NHS guidelines, which treat all men the same.

“We believe no man should die of prostate cancer. That’s why we’re urging the government to refresh these outdated rules and begin saving thousands of lives today."

'The government must do all it can to make sure guidelines reflect the evidence '

We were joined in Parliament by around 80 MPs, plus several passionate speakers who backed our calls for action - including Clive Efford, the MP for Eltham and Chiselhurst, who was himself diagnosed with prostate cancer in November 2023.

“Despite knowing that my family history significantly increased my risk of prostate cancer, my doctors were incredibly dismissive when I asked for a PSA blood test," said Clive.

"I was lucky that my cancer was caught early and I'm now in remission, but sadly this is not the case for everyone.

"The government must do all it can to make sure UK guidelines reflect the evidence, and until we have the evidence for a screening programme, we must allow GPs to speak to men at higher risk of prostate cancer about their option to have a PSA blood test.” 

Will you join thousands of other campaigners in our call for change?

We’ll continue to bang the drum to help bring about change for men and their loved ones who are affected by prostate cancer. But we can’t do this alone – and we need your help. 

You can show your support for our Faster. Fairer. Better. campaign by asking your local MP to back our first-year plan for the new government. 

Complete our simple form in just a few minutes and join thousands of other campaigners who are calling for change right now. 

WRITE TO MY MP

Image credit (Sir Chris Hoy): PA Media