Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps his Department has taken to promote awareness of the symptoms of prostate cancer; and whether his Department plans to take steps to encourage men to be tested for prostate cancer.

Public Health England (PHE) will be re-running the national Be Clear on Cancer campaign on ‘Blood in Pee’ from 19 July – 23 September 2018. The campaign highlights the fact that blood in pee could be a sign of cancer and encourages people to see their general practitioner if they experience this symptom. Although primarily aimed at bladder and kidney cancer, blood in the urine can also be a sign of prostate cancer.

PHE ran the Be Clear on Cancer ‘Prostate Cancer’ local pilot campaign in October – November 2014, specifically targeting Black African-Caribbean men, because of their significantly increased risk of developing prostate cancer compared to the general male population. The campaign included posters, print, community radio messaging, street ambassadors and public relations. Campaign materials have been made available to Prostate Cancer UK so that they can be used in any future activity.

PHE works closely with the Department and NHS England to ensure that health care professionals are also targeted with campaign information to encourage earlier diagnoses and referrals. PHE also works closely with the devolved administrations to ensure consistency of messages in their own campaigns and initiatives.