IMProVE - Screening for prostate cancer content
The IMProVE clinical trial will investigate whether a programme that combines blood tests with MRI scans could save lives and if so, how it can be organised to reduce health inequalities.
The trial will initially involve 4,500 people in Sheffield and Leeds and may be expanded to other parts of the region.
The research will be led by Professor James Catto and his team at the University of Sheffield, in partnership with Professor Peter Sasieni CBE and his team at Queen Mary University of London. The trial is expected to launch in summer 2026.
Why is this trial needed?
Every year in Yorkshire, more than 4,000 men are told they have prostate cancer. More than half are diagnosed at a late stage when there are fewer treatment options.
In addition to saving lives by screening more men for prostate cancer, the IMProVE trial aims to address the following:
- There is no national screening programme for prostate cancer - this trial will provide crucial evidence to help introduce one.
- People in some communities are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer at a late stage and less likely to be tested. The trial will explore how screening can be introduced without widening disparities.
Some men receive treatment for prostate cancer that wouldn’t have harmed them. This trial will explore how screening can ensure only those who need treatment receive it.
Interested in learning more about this prostate screening trial?
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How will this trial benefit Yorkshire?
There are wide disparities in prostate cancer diagnosis and survival between Yorkshire and other parts of England, and within the region itself.
As part of the trial, the research team will explore the perspectives of men most at risk of prostate cancer. These include Black men and men from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, to understand their views on prostate cancer and any factors that might encourage or discourage them from taking part in screening. The findings will then be used to help shape the trial.
Men in Yorkshire are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage prostate cancer than men living in London. Within the region, the percentage of people coming forward with prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body varies considerably.
Quote from Russell McFarlane, Sheffield
Screening is pivotal. I think it’s fantastic that Yorkshire Cancer Research are funding this trial in Yorkshire, because without it, a lot of guys are going to be stuffed."
IMProVE clinical trial is led by...
Professor Jim Catto
University of Sheffield
“There is an urgent need to develop an effective way to screen men at high risk of prostate cancer. While there are tests that can be performed to find prostate cancer early, they are not reliable and can lead to people being ‘overdiagnosed’.
Professor Peter Sasieni CBE
Queen Mary University of London
“This approach is deliverable by the NHS because it doesn’t involve new technology or equipment and because most of those screened will only need a low-cost blood test.”
“If I’d had access to screening, I might not now be looking at an incurable cancer diagnosis.”
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“Prostate screening is pivotal. Without it, a lot of guys are going to be stuffed.”
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