PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Prostate Cancer: Research (7 October 2024)

Research is crucial in tackling cancer. The Department spends £1.5 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), with cancer the largest area of spend at more than £121.8 million in 2022/23. NIHR spends more on cancer than any other disease group, reflecting its high priority.

On 19 November 2023, the Government and Prostate Cancer UK announced a £42 million screening trial to find ways of detecting country’s most common male cancer earlier. Prostate Cancer UK is leading the development of the trial with the Government contributing £16 million through the Department.

The TRANSFORM trial will aim to address some of the inequalities that exist in prostate cancer diagnosis today. For example, 1 in 4 black men will develop prostate cancer, double the risk of other men, and often at a younger age. Yet previous research has failed to involve and recruit enough black men and so has not been able to provide evidence needed to diagnose them earlier using a targeted approach. The TRANSFORM trial will ensure that at least 10% of the men who are invited to participate in the trial are black.