Key Statistics
• 1 in 6 men in Ireland will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
• PSA testing has been shown to reduce prostate cancer deaths by up to 40% when part of an early detection strategy.
• The PRAISE-U study aims to reach 8,000 men aged 50–69 in Dublin and Waterford over one year.
A pioneering new pilot study led by UCD and supported by the Irish Society of Urology, the National Screening Service and Movember aims to transform how prostate cancer is detected. As part of an EU-wide initiative, PRAISE-U (PRostate cancer Awareness and Initiative for Screening in the European Union), is a three-year project co-funded by the European Union studying how organised prostate cancer screening programmes can be implemented in a way that is feasible and cost-effective. In an Irish population the study will assess the effectiveness and feasibility of using a home-based finger prick prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, with the goal of improving early detection and reducing prostate cancer mortality rates.
Making Prostate Cancer Screening More Accessible
With one in six men in Ireland diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, early detection is critical. The PRAISE-U study in Ireland is designed to offer a convenient and accessible screening pathway that overcomes common barriers such as stigma, misinformation, and inequity of access to testing. Men aged 50–69 who are living in Dublin and Waterford will be randomly selected to receive an invitation to take part in the study, over the next 9-12 months. The study aims to recruit 5,000 men to take part, from both urban and rural settings, and from different socio-economic groups. The men can consent to participate online at www.prostatecheck.ie to receive a free, home-based PSA test kit to their door. When the lab receives the sample in the provided freepost envelope, it will be analysed, and the results will be available to the men through a dedicated app and by letter from the project office. If a man’s blood test indicates a potential risk of prostate cancer, he will be referred to one of three HSE Rapid Access Prostate Clinics (RAPC). There, he will be reviewed by a Consultant Urologist and have access to a full diagnostic assessment.
Addressing Barriers to Screening
Despite the life-saving potential of early detection, many men delay or avoid testing for their risk of prostate cancer due to fear of invasive procedures, underestimating their personal risk, or the inconvenience of visiting a doctor for a blood test. The PRAISE-U study directly tackles these obstacles head-on by providing a non-invasive, home-based alternative that makes screening easier and more accessible.
Expert Voices on the PRAISE-U Initiative
Professor David Galvin, UCD Associate Clinical Professor and Consultant Urologist at St Vincent’s and Mater Hospitals said: "The PRAISE-U initiative is a vital step towards transforming how we approach prostate cancer detection and care in Europe and here in Ireland. By implementing novel risk-based screening methods and harmonising best practices across the EU, we aim to improve early detection, introduce equality in prostate cancer detection, reduce unnecessary interventions, and ultimately save lives. Movember and the National Screening Service’s support has been instrumental in driving this progress and ensuring we can make a tangible difference for men and their families."
Dr Alan Smith, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE, National Screening Service, said: “PRAISE-U represents a significant leap forward for the EU in researching how we approach prostate cancer screening, and aims to ensure that the right men receive the right care at the right time. By embracing innovative, risk-based methodologies, we have the potential to reduce disparities in early detection and improve outcomes for men across Ireland and Europe. Collaborating on this study allows us to combine expertise and resources that could deliver meaningful change in men’s health across Europe, and provide the necessary evidence for the Irish National Screening Advisory Committee to evaluate the case for any future population cancer screening programme in Ireland.”
Karen Robb, Director, Programme Implementation, Cancer, of Men’s Health charity Movember, said: “Movember is proud to be part of the PRAISE-U initiative, driving forward innovation in prostate cancer screening across Europe. By focusing on tailored, risk-based approaches, this groundbreaking programme aligns with our mission to improve men's health outcomes and ensure men at risk of prostate cancer are identified and supported earlier than ever before.”
Encouraging Men to Take Action
The Irish PRAISE-U study is designed to break down the barriers that prevent men in Ireland from seeking prostate cancer screening. Through an accompanying campaign designed with a combination of education and humour, Movember will encourage eligible randomly selected men to watch for their invitation and sign up online.
For more information on PRAISE-U and this upcoming study, visit www.prostatecheck.ie/.