Presenting Complaints for Prostate Cancer in Primary Care: The PC3 study

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. Most men who get prostate cancer will experience at least one symptom that relates to their cancer before they are diagnosed, such as waking multiple times in the night to empty their bladder or passing urine very slowly. These symptoms are common in men as they get older, and most men with these symptoms don’t have prostate cancer. This can make it challenging for GPs to spot prostate cancer early. We know that in the UK half of men with prostate cancer will have late stage cancer by the time it is diagnosed. Finding almost any kind of cancer at an early stage is important, as this makes it more likely a person with cancer will survive.

This study aims to improve the early diagnosis of prostate cancer by helping GPs know which patients need urgent referral for further tests. This study will answer two research questions:

1. Which symptoms caused by a prostate cancer that hasn’t been found yet are most useful for catching it early?

2. Are prostate cancer outcomes for patients who have symptoms before diagnosis different to patients who do not have symptoms before diagnosis?

Both parts of the study will use a large dataset of anonymous GP records. The team will analyse the data in these records to answer the two research questions.

This study has already had input from men with prostate cancer, and members of the general public. While the study is being carried out, a group of five patients and members of the public with some experience of prostate cancer will come together to work with the study team. This group will help share the study findings with fellow patients and the public. They will also work with the team to decide what the next steps should be after this study is finished.

Amount awarded: £25,930