New prostate cancer screening study in Ireland aims to deliver improved outcomes for men across Europe
24 February 2025
A pioneering new pilot study led by University College Dublin (UCD) aims to transform how prostate cancer is detected in Ireland.
As part of an EU-wide initiative, (opens in a new window)PRAISE-U (PRostate cancer Awareness and Initiative for Screening in the European Union), will study how organised prostate cancer screening programmes can delivered improve outcomes for men across Europe.
In Ireland, the three-year project, (opens in a new window)co-funded by the European Union, will assess the effectiveness and feasibility of using a home-based finger prick prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests to improve early detection and reduce prostate cancer mortality rates by making screening more accessible.
It is being undertaken in partnership with the Irish Society of Urology (ISU), the (opens in a new window)National Screening Service and (opens in a new window)Movember.
One in six men in Ireland will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime but despite the life-saving potential of early detection, many delay or avoid screening 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 in Ireland is designed to overcome these common barriers by providing a non-invasive, home-based alternative that makes screening easier and more accessible.
The project aims to recruit 5,000 men to take part, from both urban and rural settings, and from different socio-economic groups.
These volunteers, aged 50 – 69 and living in Dublin and Waterford, will be randomly selected to receive an invitation to take part in the study over the course of the next 12 months.
The men will be asked to consent online at (opens in a new window)www.prostatecheck.ie; those participating will receive a free, home-based PSA test kit to their door which can be returned in a provided freepost envelope.
When the sample is received it will be analysed and the results made available to the men through a dedicated app, and by letter form the project office.
If a man’s blood test indicates a potential risk of prostate cancer, they will be referred to a Rapid Access Prostate Clinic (RAPC) where they will be assessed by consultant urologists and have access to modern diagnostic assessment in the well-established Rapid Access Prostate Clinics across the country.
Alongside the PRAISE-U study, there will be accompanying campaign supported by Movember and the National Screening Service to encourage those eligible to watch for their invitation and sign up online.
“There's going to be a sharp rise in prostate cancer unless we have a way to detect the disease early.”
— Sky News (@SkyNews) (opens in a new window)February 21, 2025
Those are the words of Mr David Galvin, the head of a pilot study starting next week in Ireland which will see thousands of men being checked for prostate cancer
“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," said PRAISE-U Principal Investigator Professor David Galvin, UCD Associate Clinical Professor and Consultant Urologist at St Vincent’s and Mater Hospitals.
“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 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.”
Karen Robb, Director, Programme Implementation, Cancer, of Men’s Health charity Movember, added: “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.”
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, that 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 to support any future population cancer screening programme in Ireland.”
For more information on PRAISE-U and its upcoming study in Ireland, visit (opens in a new window)www.prostatecheck.ie.
By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
