New screening unit aims to cut prostate cancer waiting times

A northeast charity hopes a new screening unit will speed up the diagnosis process for prostate cancer.

The Urological Cancer Centre is fundraising for the facility at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to help cut waiting times.

It comes as Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy is calling on the NHS to lower the age for prostate screenings after his recent diagnosis.

Kenny Anderson from Aberdeen was diagnosed with prostate cancer six years ago. The illness runs in his family and his father passed away with the condition in 2004.

Mr Anderson made an appointment with his GP after hearing an advert on the importance of regular prostate checks.

He believed he would be fine due to a lack of symptoms, but he was told he had cancer of the prostate.

He said: “I looked up the credentials of the consultant and I thought somebody as well qualified as this wouldn’t want to see me unless there was something serious.”

One in three men in Scotland are diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer but it is usually detected when it’s too late to be cured.

There is currently no routine testing in Scotland but those over the age of 50 can request a PSA blood test to check their prostate.

Now Sir Chris is calling on the NHS to lower that age after the 48-year-old recently revealed his cancer is terminal.

His diagnosis has prompted fresh calls for a national screening programme.

A urologist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary said: “There is undoubtedly a cohort of patients that if we diagnosed them earlier it would be better for them.”

Prostate surgeon Justine Royle believes it would make sense to lower the age for screening people who are in high-risk groups.

The Urological Cancer Charity is fundraising for a new unit to create a “one-stop” rapid diagnostic area.

The £25m facility will see patients receive all their scans and procedures in a single visit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

Mr Anderson, who is the chief executive of the charity, believes people should not hesitate to get checked out if they believe they are at risk of developing prostate cancer.

“We can only thank Chris Hoy for his frankness, and coming out to do this, it’s tremendous.”