Prostate cancer screening in the UK set to TRANSFORM

Big news in men’s health: the first men have been recruited to the most ambitious prostate cancer screening trial in the UK in decades. It’s called TRANSFORM, it’s led by Prostate Cancer UK, and it could change the way prostate cancer is diagnosed – for good.

And here’s something every Mo should feel seriously proud of: Movember backed this from the ground floor, as a founding partner contributing £1.545 million raised by you – the Mo community.

So what is TRANSFORM?

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. Yet there’s still no national screening programme. Diagnosis can be hit-and-miss. Too often cancer may not be found until it’s too late for curative treatment.

TRANSFORM is here to fix that

This £42 million trial will test the most promising screening tools available; PSA blood tests, genetic spit tests, and fast MRI scans, in combinations that have never been tried at this scale before. The goal: to make diagnosis earlier, safer, and more effective.

Today marks a massive milestone, with the first wave of men receiving invitation letters from their GPs. Up to 300,000 men will eventually be recruited, making this the biggest prostate cancer screening study in a generation.

Standing up for the men who need it most

Black men are twice as likely to get prostate cancer and twice as likely to die from it. But historically, they’ve been under-represented in research. TRANSFORM has been purposely designed to change that, with at least one in ten participants being Black men, and strong partnerships with Black community leaders to ensure the trial reflects the men most at risk.

The future of prostate cancer screening starts today

Prostate Cancer UK CEO Laura Kerby puts it best:

“The future of prostate cancer screening starts today. It’s incredible to see the launch of this once-in-a-generation trial that so many people have worked to make possible, from our scientists to our amazing supporters raising funds.”

Movember’s Global Director of Prostate Cancer Research, Sam McKeown adds:

“We are proud to play a part in TRANSFORM. It’s a privilege to stand alongside the UK’s leading health organisations and top research teams on a trial with potential to reshape prostate cancer screening and diagnosis.

To the Movember community who are growing moustaches, hosting fundraisers and taking on epic challenges this month, this is your funds in action.”

What happens next? How do I take part?

The first 16,000 men will test different screening approaches against current NHS methods. The most effective combinations will then scale up to hundreds of thousands of participants. The trial will also create the largest-ever bank of prostate cancer samples and data that will power new tests and treatments for years to come.

Men can’t volunteer to participate, but if they receive an invitation letter, they're strongly encouraged to take part. This could be the tipping point for introducing a national screening programme. Something that could save thousands of lives every year.