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<p>Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the United Kingdom, and currently
has no screening programme. The recently announced TRANSFORM trial aims to find the
best way to screen for prostate cancer. This study is led by Prostate Cancer UK and
supported by £42 million of Government funding.</p><p> </p><p>In March 2024, NHS England
implemented the Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS), setting a target of a maximum 28
day wait from urgent suspected general practice or screening referral to patients
being told they have cancer, or that cancer is ruled out. To achieve this target,
NHS England is streamlining cancer pathways by introducing best-practice timed pathways
for prostate cancer, so that those suspected of having prostate cancer receive a multi-parametric
magnetic resonance imaging scan first, which ensures only those men most at risk of
having cancer undergo an invasive biopsy. As well as diagnosing patients faster, NHS
England is working to diagnose patients at an earlier stage, through the ambitions
set out in the NHS Long-Term Plan, to diagnose 75% of cancers at stages one and two
by 2028.</p><p> </p><p>NHS England takes steps to raise awareness of prostate cancer,
where there are opportunities to do so. For example, NHS England partners with Cancer
Alliances, charities, and local representatives to reach people through projects in
the heart of their communities. Cancer Alliances have also been undertaking action
to alert at-risk groups about prostate cancer. This is determined at a local level,
and so will vary depending on local needs and priorities.</p><p> </p><p>The Government
has made significant strides in enabling the use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems
to support the diagnosis of many types of cancer, including prostate. The AI in Health
and Care Award was established, aiming to accelerate the testing and development of
AI technologies that align with the NHS Long Term Plan. The award represents a substantial
investment in the future of healthcare technology, with £113 million already allocated
to support 86 AI technologies. Three of these projects specifically relate to prostate
cancer, one of which is the Paige prostate cancer detection tool, developed by the
University of Oxford. This AI-based diagnostic software aids in the interpretation
of pathology sample images, facilitating more efficient detection, grading, and quantification
of cancer in prostate biopsies. The Chancellor’s recent budget announcement on 6 March
2024 includes a £3.4 billion investment to reform how the National Health Service
works, including on the use of technologies such as AI.</p><p> </p><p>Finally, although
no specific assessment of the Lancet Commission published 4 April 2024 has been made,
the Department will work with NHS England to review the details.</p>
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