Prostate Scotland Research Programme

Prostate cancer and disease are significant issues, but too little known about, with prostate disease affecting nearly one man in two at some stage in his life and one man in ten being at risk of prostate cancer. There has been progress made over the past two decades in the treatment and support for men with prostate cancer and disease.  With greater diagnosis and newer treatments coming on board, the survival rate during this period has doubled.  There were over 32,675 new registrations of men with prostate cancer between 2004 and 2014 and 9,133 deaths of men in Scotland from prostate cancer during that period. 5% of the male population over 65 is living with prostate cancer. [i] In 2017 there were 3,518 men diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 986 men died from it in Scotland. [ii]

There is still a significant need for further progress with one in five men with prostate cancer still likely to die from it.  Recent projections by the NHS in Scotland suggest an increase in incidence of prostate cancer of 35% by around 2027.  Many men need information about prostate cancer, their treatment(s), treatment options as well as information on potential side-effects of their prostate cancer treatment.  Given the number of men who currently have a diagnosis of prostate cancer and with the likely increase in incidence there is a need to ensure that there is a greater understanding and emphasis placed on prostate treatments and services. To this end Prostate Scotland is taking forward a research programme (amongst other research work) which includes the following strands of research:

Prostate Scotland COVID-19 and Prostate Cancer Survey 2020

Our survey closed in July 2020.  Thank you to all respondents for taking the time to give their feedback.

Prostate Scotland ran a research survey to gain a better understanding of the challenges that have arisen due to COVID-19 and lockdown, especially for men with prostate cancer.

Prostate Scotland Patient Needs Survey

In 2018, Prostate Scotland took forward a research project, the ‘Prostate Scotland Patient Needs Survey.’ The research was not only conducted through a survey but also included focus groups with men diagnosed with prostate cancer and prostate disease and their families.  These two methods were used to to ensure that issues that men living with prostate disease and prostate cancer on a daily basis were fully researched and explored.  This included their needs, concerns, hopes and perspectives on such key issues as treatments, services, side effects, and on daily living with prostate cancer.

Research into future prostate services and treatment needs

In 2017 and 2018, this project was taken forward jointly with the University of Stirling Cancer Care Research Centre into future prostate services and treatment needs in light of the projected increase in incidence. This focused on the perspectives of clinicians.

For further information about our research programme please email info@prostatescotland.org.uk

[i]  See Scottish Cancer Registry March 2016 and Cancer in Scotland, Information Services Division NHS National Services Scotland October  2016
[ii] See Cancer in Scotland April 2019 Information Services Division NHS National Services Scotland