BXTA

11/09/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭. 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐞.

We're encouraged to see high-profile prostate cancer survivors including Jeremy Clarkson, Sir Stephen Fry, Sir Steve McQueen, and others calling for action on targeted prostate cancer screening for men at highest risk.

The reality is stark:

🔹 Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in UK men, with around 63,000 diagnoses and 12,000 deaths every year.
🔹 Black men face a 1 in 4 lifetime risk, approximately double that of the general population.
🔹 Men with a family history of prostate cancer are also at significantly increased risk.
🔹 Many men are still diagnosed too late, when treatment options are more limited and outcomes can be poorer.

The group's message is simple: risk, not luck, should determine who has access to testing.

They have challenged the decision to restrict screening access to a very small group of men with a specific genetic mutation, highlighting that thousands of other high-risk men remain without guaranteed access to potentially life-saving early detection.

Importantly, advances in diagnostic pathways, including MRI-led assessment and more sophisticated blood tests, are improving accuracy and helping identify clinically significant cancers earlier.

A targeted screening programme for higher-risk men could help save lives, reduce the burden of advanced disease, and ensure that those most at risk are not overlooked.

Every man deserves the opportunity to make an informed decision about his prostate health. 💙

They say they are 'united by a shared belief that no man in this country should die of a cancer that could have been caught in time'.

02/09/2026

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬: 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬.

Australia has new guidelines for finding prostate cancer early - the first major update in nearly 10 years. The new guidelines were approved in May 2026 by the NHMRC.

The new guidelines introduce a more personalised approach to prostate cancer early detection based on a man's age, risk factors, and individual circumstances.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝:
When should men start checking?
• All men: from age 50
• Higher risk (family history, BRCA2, or Black sub-Saharan ancestry): from age 45
• Any man who's particularly interested in his prostate health can ask for a baseline test at 45, even without extra risk factors
• Aboriginal and Torrens Straight Islander males should follow the same guidelines as for the general population.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧?
• Every 2 years, after a chat with your GP about what's right for you

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞?
• A simple blood test (PSA)
• No more routine digital re**al exam (DRE) as part of standard screening - this is a big change. For many men, the DRE was the part that put them off getting tested at all. The new guidelines recognise that and have moved away from it in everyday GP screening.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐒𝐀 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡?
• A single high reading doesn't mean cancer - PSA can rise for lots of reasons (ie recent cycling, sexual activity)
• If it stays high on a repeat test, you'll be referred to a urologist for further investigation. This will start with an MRI of the prostate before any biopsy is considered.
• If a biopsy is needed, the preferred method is now transperineal biopsy. The guidelines note that it is associated with a lower risk of post-biopsy infection and can facilitate more accurate targeting of suspicious areas identified on MRI.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬
There's no one-size-fits-all. Your age, family history, and personal circumstances all matter. The best thing any man can do is sit down with his GP and agree on a personalised screening plan that fits him.

Earlier detection of prostate cancer can mean more treatment options and, importantly, more time to understand and weigh up the benefits and potential long-term side effects of each approach. This allows men to make a more informed decision about what matters most to them - treating the cancer while also considering quality of life and the impact of treatment.

If you've already been through a prostate cancer diagnosis, you'll understand the importance of being informed about your prostate health and discussing any concerns with your GP.

PCFA website has full details and resources here:
https://tinyurl.com/2vnuf7w8

Please share this with the men in your life - it could start a conversation that makes a real difference.

Find out when you should be offered a PSA test, how often to have one, and what should happen next if your result is higher than expected for your age.

13/07/2026

We were saddened to hear of the passing of broadcaster Dermot Murnaghan following his battle with prostate cancer. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.

Dermot showed great courage in speaking openly about his diagnosis and using his experience to raise awareness of prostate cancer and the importance of early detection. He also worked closely with prostate cancer charities to help others affected by the disease.

One of the key messages he shared was that prostate cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms do occur, they can include:

🔹 Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
🔹 Difficulty urinating or a weak flow
🔹 Blood in the urine or semen
🔹 Pain in the lower back, hips or pelvis

We hope the awareness Dermot helped create will encourage more men to understand their risk, seek advice early, and ultimately save lives.



Photo credit: BBC

10/07/2026

𝐀 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡.

Wayne underwent surgery believing his cancer was confined to the prostate and that treatment would bring his cancer journey to an end. Unfortunately, follow-up tests later revealed that the disease had already spread beyond the prostate.

His story is an important reminder that prostate cancer is not the same for every patient, and treatment decisions are rarely straightforward.

Before choosing a treatment, patients should take time to understand:
• Their diagnosis and risk classification
• All available treatment options
• The potential benefits and side effects of each approach
• Whether a second opinion might be helpful

Making an informed decision doesn't guarantee a particular outcome, but it helps ensure that the treatment chosen aligns with a patient's values, priorities and clinical circumstances.

A powerful and sobering account from prostate cancer patient Wayne Smith.

After convincing myself that my ordeal was over, learning that the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes, bones and stomach was devastating

15/05/2026

📰 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐒𝐀 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

Today’s headlines suggest PSA screening “causes more harm than good” — but that’s not the full picture!

A major new Cochrane review published today tells a different story:
👉 PSA testing is likely to reduce the risk of dying from prostate cancer

This is an important shift in the evidence.

✅ A PSA test is a simple blood test — a first step, not a decision to treat
✅ Modern pathways (MRI, targeted assessment, active surveillance) mean men can be monitored safely and appropriately
✅ We now have better tools than ever to detect significant cancer early while avoiding unnecessary intervention

The real question is no longer whether to screen — but how to do it better.

Men across the UK deserve clear, up-to-date information and access to smarter, risk-based screening approaches.

Prostate cancer screening could save thousands of lives a year and should be made an option for the vast majority of men, a landmark review has found.

02/05/2026

No time like the present. 😁

The Prostate Project Man Van is returning to Guildford Farmers’ Market!
📅 Tuesday 5th May, 11am-3pm
📍 Guildford High Street
Come along and get a simple PSA blood test to check your prostate health, or just stop by for a chat with our team.
Please remember, if you would like a test, you MUST bring your NHS number, as we cannot test without it.
Early detection saves lives. We hope to see you there.

01/05/2026

There are many misconceptions about LDR prostate brachytherapy — and it’s time to separate myth from fact! See what the Doctors say about LDR prostate brachytherapy and the misconceptions people have about what it is and what's involved and why it's one of the best options for treating prostate cancer...

Learn what patients and clinicians should know about LDR prostate brachytherapy, including its impact on quality of life, success rates, and long-term outcomes. — helping patients make informed decisions with their care team.

https://www.theragenics.com/news-events/setting-the-record-straight-common-myths-about-ldr-prostate-brachytherapy/

27/04/2026

𝐀 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡👇
Former Premier League Manager, Chris Hughton has shared that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. It was picked up early through a routine PSA blood test, treated successfully, and he is now cancer free.

His story matters because prostate cancer often has no symptoms in the early stages.

Chris Hughton has also spoken about being in a higher-risk:
🔷 Over 50
🔷 Black
🔷 A family history of prostate

If this sounds like you - or someone you care about - please consider encouraging a covnersation with a GP about getting a PSA test, even if yo feel well.

Sometimes a simple check really can save a life. Please share - you never know who might need to hear this.

You can read the full story here: 👉

Chris Hughton has opened up on his recovery from prostate cancer

22/04/2026

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

That’s the experience of the first patient in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand to receive low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy - a minimally invasive treatment option that many men still aren’t told about.

After being diagnosed with prostate cancer, he researched his options and chose LDR brachytherapy because he wanted effective treatment without putting his life on hold.

Why this story matters:
• LDR brachytherapy is a minimally invasive treatment using tiny radioactive seeds placed directly into the prostate
• Recovery was fast, with a return to everyday activities - including riding a motorbike - within weeks
• The decision was driven by quality of life, fewer side effects, and shorter recovery
• Clinicians describe LDR brachytherapy as a well established and well tolerated option for the right patients

Real patient stories like this help raise awareness of treatment options and the importance of informed choice.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/hawkes-bay-first-prostate-ldr-brachytherapy-patient-back-on-motorbike-within-weeks/premium/ARRWND6BAZGIZAZMU4GT4LETHI/

02/04/2026

📺 Seen on Good Morning Britain

🚫 2 in 5 football fans know someone who’s stopped going to matches after prostate cancer treatment.

For many men, it’s not about football loyalty — it’s the impact of incontinence, made harder by the lack of sanitary bins in men’s toilets at stadiums.

⚽ Prostate cancer affects 1 in 8 men in the UK
💬 Some treatments carry a higher risk of incontinence, so informed conversations about options, side effects and quality of life really matter.

Former coaches Errol McKellar and Brian Horton, both prostate cancer survivors, are speaking out to push for change.

✅ Sanitary bins = dignity
✅ Support after treatment = men staying in the game

When prostate cancer is detected early, LDR brachytherapy may be one of the options discussed as part of informed treatment conversations.

Because being informed about all treatment options and potential side effects empowers men to make decisions that fit their lives.

🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaHxTnWpnp0

New figures reveal that two in five football fans know a fellow fan no longer coming to games after they've had prostate cancer treatment.One of the main rea...