TrueNTH self-supported management

Prostate cancer survivors will be able to get their PSA test results online rather than having to wait weeks to see a doctor, under a new after-care scheme funded by the Movember Foundation.

Under the TrueNTH self-supported management scheme, men will be able to take control of their own care which frees up vital NHS time as a result.

As well as being able to get their results online, the men taking part can see their patient information and message their clinical team if they need support.

The revolutionary programme which is being delivered in partnership with Prostate Cancer UK, was trialled across five health trusts in England.

The NHS trusts involved in the trial – which ran for three years from 2014 and involved 2,675 men – were University Hospital Southampton, Royal United Hospitals Bath, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Dartford and Gravesham and St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals trust.

An evaluation by researchers from the University of Southampton, published in the BMC Cancer journal, concluded that the results were similar to traditional follow-up care, with similar costs in the first eight months.

While there had been initial concerns about patients having access to results before clinicians, the project appeared to show that even if the results were abnormal, those involved were not adversely affected, the researchers said.

Overall costs per patient were also lower for those involved in the trials.

Men taking part have access to a support worker, a workshop to ensure they fully understand how to manage their treatment, and an IT service allowing them to access their test results remotely.

The Movember Foundation and Prostate Cancer UK are now urging all health trusts to use the new approach.

Movember CEO Owen Sharp said: “We now have the proof that when given the support they need to manage their condition, most men are happy to take responsibility for their own after care. It also frees up NHS staff to spend time with the patients who need them the most.” 

Prostate Cancer UK’s Heather Blake said: “This model actually lowers per patient costs, making it a win-win for cash-strapped NHS trusts. That’s why we want to see supported self-management schemes like this rolled out across the country.”

Lesley Smith, of NHS England, said: “This scheme is a great example of innovations that local areas can adopt which allow men to take control of their own follow up care.”

More than 11,500 men die from prostate cancer in the UK each year and the number of men living with and beyond prostate cancer is set to double by 2030.