Targeted Prostate Health Checks, a novel system to identify men with prostate cancer-A pilot study.

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Oncology
• Public Health

Background:

• Prostate cancer detection was impacted during the COVID-19 era.
• Targeted screening programs are needed to identify at-risk individuals.
• The Surrey and Sussex region initiated a pilot program to address this gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the pilot phase of the Targeted Prostate Health Check program.
• To identify men with prostate cancer who may have been missed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To assess the effectiveness of a novel screening approach in a specific region.

Main Methods:

• Men aged 45-70 were identified via general practitioner records and invited via SMS.
• Participants consented to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing coordinated by a virtual healthcare provider.
• Referrals for elevated PSA levels were made to rapid access urology clinics for further investigation, including mp-MRI and biopsies.

Main Results:

• Out of 1549 invited men, 544 consented to PSA checks, and 485 completed the test.
• 68 men (14%) were referred due to elevated PSA levels.
• Prostate cancer was detected in 18 men (3.5% of invited), with 17 (95%) having clinically significant disease after mp-MRI and biopsy.

Conclusions:

• The Targeted Prostate Cancer Health Check system effectively identifies at-risk men without overburdening primary care.
• The program successfully raised awareness and facilitated screening for prostate cancer.
• A significant proportion of clinically significant prostate cancer was detected through this targeted approach.