Our current research
Our current research project focuses on one form of prostate disease – Benign Prostatic Enlargement (BPE) – sometimes called an enlarged prostate or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia – BPH. The project commenced in August 2025 and is running for 2 years.
A central part of the project is developing our understanding of the impact BPE has on men’s lives in Scotland. Prostate Scotland is running a survey for men with BPE as part of the project to hear from them directly. Information collected will be used to develop Prostate Scotland’s own services (advice leaflets, educational resources, support groups) for men with BPE. We will also use it to speak to Scottish Government, the NHS and other organisations about how they could help men with BPE.
Join our research and take part in our survey Please note, our survey is hosted on the Survey Monkey website.
This survey asks men with BPE to tell us about your experience of getting diagnosed and treated, about the way BPE affects your day-to-day life, and what supports have helped/would help you. Any man (or person born biologically male) with a diagnosis of BPE who lives in Scotland can complete the survey. The survey uses the term ‘enlarged prostate’ instead of BPE as many men are more familiar with this term. The survey should take 10 – 15 minutes to complete.
The survey is anonymous and is voluntary. You can choose to take part if you want to. You can stop filling in the survey at any point if you change your mind.
Join our research and take part in our survey Please note, our survey is hosted on the Survey Monkey website.
The survey is available online through a secure survey platform. Data collected from men who take part in the BPE research project will be processed and stored by Prostate Scotland in line with GDPR regulations and any privacy notice. By completing the survey you are indicating that you have read this information, and consent to taking part. Prostate Scotland may use information collected in our reports and project documentation, and it may be published on our website.
If you’d like to request a paper copy or, you have any questions about the research project or the survey please contact:
Sarah Henning, Patient Research Coordinator, Prostate Scotland at: research@prostatescotland.org.uk
As well as the survey we will undertake 1:1 interviews with men as part of the research project. If you are interested in finding out more about being interviewed, please email Sarah Henning at research@prostatescotland.org.uk
More about the BPE research project
Prostate Scotland is grateful to the Grand Lodge of Scotland for funding the BPE research project.
Prostate Scotland Research Programme
Prostate cancer and disease are significant issues, with prostate disease thought to affect nearly 50% of men over the age of 50 in Scotland and one man in ten being at risk of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in men in Scotland. There were 5,608 new diagnoses of prostate cancer in Scotland in 2023, an increase of 7% from the year before [1]. Meanwhile, 1,106 men in Scotland died from prostate cancer in 2024 [2].
With more men being diagnosed every year in Scotland, there remains a need for further progress in awareness, support and research. Men require access to accurate information about prostate cancer, treatment options, potential side-effects of treatment, and how to cope with a diagnosis.
A greater emphasis should be placed on prostate treatments and services, and Prostate Scotland is committed to working with partner organisations to support further research.
Prostate Scotland’s own research programme has previously included the following strands:
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
References
- https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/media/35152/20250930-cancer-incidence-2023-report-finalv.pdf
- https://publichealthscotland.scot/media/36967/2026-01-27-cancer-mortality-report-final.pdf