Prostate Cancer UK and Prostate Cancer Research join forces to launch new parliamentary group

A new All-Party Parliamentary Group on prostate cancer has been launched in Westminster — an urgent and timely move as the country enters a key moment for the future of diagnosing and treating the disease.

The APPG's inaugural meeting at Portcullis House was chaired by Calvin Bailey MBE MP and facilitated by the UK’s two leading prostate cancer charities, Prostate Cancer Research and Prostate Cancer UK, who are providing joint secretariat.

The four officers for the group, Ben Obese-Jecty MP, Josh Babarinde MP, Clive Efford MP and Calvin Bailey MP (chair), have been elected by fellow MPs.  

The latest NHS data has made clear that cancer diagnoses in the UK have reached a new record high level,  driven mainly by an increase in prostate cancers, which rose by more than a quarter to 54,732 in 2022.

These figures come at a time when the National Screening Committee is considering various proposals for prostate cancer screening. The UK’s largest prostate cancer screening trial in 20 years, TRANSFORM, will also begin recruiting participants this year. 

A forum for MPs and peers to work together

The launch of the APPG represents a major step forward - for the first time, parliamentarians have come together to focus on this issue in Westminster on a sustained basis.

Working together, the group will aim to provide a forum for MPs and peers to discuss issues impacting men with prostate cancer and their loved ones. The APPG will also call for improvements in policy, addressing issues such as health inequalities, early diagnosis, treatment, care and survival. 

The four officers for the group - Ben Obese-Jecty MP, Josh Babarinde MP, Clive Efford MP and Calvin Bailey MP (chair) -  were elected by fellow MPs in December.

“I’m pleased to support this new group in Parliament and join Prostate Cancer Research and Prostate Cancer UK in working together to bring greater attention to the issues men are facing around prostate cancer," said Calvin Bailey MBE MP, the group's new chair.

"1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, which rises to 1 in 4 for Black men. Our new APPG will provide a highly impactful, cross-party forum to support parliamentary work towards equitable early diagnosis, treatment, care and survival.”

'Critical' issues around prostate cancer demand health leaders' full attention

Amy Rylance, our Assistant Director of Health Improvement, said how we diagnose, treat and care for men affected by prostate cancer was now at a "critical stage" in the UK.

"Primary care guidelines are out of date and require changing to reflect the most recent evidence and unacceptable inequalities persist for Black men who are twice as likely to be diagnosed in their lifetime and also twice as likely to die from the disease," she added.

"These problems demand the full attention of the UK's healthcare leaders. Through the APPG, we can help make that happen."

David James, Director of Patient Projects and Influencing at Prostate Cancer Research, added: “The formation of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Prostate Cancer is a crucial step towards improving early detection and care. With 2025 poised to be a defining year for screening, this APPG will push the UK National Screening Committee and the government to act on much-needed reforms.

"We’re proud to partner with Prostate Cancer UK and work alongside committed parliamentarians to drive this vital initiative forward.”