The UK's Prostate Cancer Research (PCR) and Macmillan Cancer Support have announced a new strategic partnership to expand Prostate Progress, an innovative programme that combines patient-reported experiences and clinical data derived from NHS health records to drive improvements in cancer care and outcomes.

The partnership will focus on some of the most pressing challenges facing cancer care today, including improving early diagnosis, enabling more personalised care, and tackling the inequalities that continue to affect outcomes and experiences for many people living with cancer. 

Originally developed by Prostate Cancer Research to better understand the needs and experiences of people affected by prostate cancer, Prostate Progress is increasingly demonstrating how patient insights can help shape research, services and policy across a wider range of cancers.

Prostate Progress brings together routinely collected clinical data and the lived experiences of people affected by cancer, with an aim to better understand the challenges faced by people living with prostate cancer, and, crucially, to identify practical solutions that can improve services, inform policy and help ensure people receive the right care at the right time.

Together, PCR and Macmillan will:

• Develop new research questions focused on improving early diagnosis, personalised care and reducing health inequalities.
• Generate evidence to identify gaps, delays and variation in cancer pathways, helping to highlight where improvements in care could have the greatest impact.
• Strengthen engagement with diverse and underserved communities to ensure services, research and innovation better reflect the needs of all patients.
• Use patient-reported insights to inform advocacy, service design and policy development, helping to translate data into meaningful improvements for people living with cancer.
• Explore new ways to use patient experience and clinical data together to support more proactive and personalised care.

Peter Harrison, Director of Partnerships at Prostate Cancer Research, said: "Too often, healthcare systems only see part of the picture. By combining clinical data with the experiences people share about living with cancer, we can gain a much deeper understanding of where the system is working well, where it is falling short, and what needs to change."

"Our partnership with Macmillan is about more than generating new evidence. It's about creating the foundations for long-term improvements in cancer care, helping to reduce inequalities, support earlier diagnosis, and ensure future services reflect what matters to people living with cancer.”

Claire Taylor, Chief Nursing Officer, Macmillan Cancer Support, noted: “At Macmillan, we know that people living with cancer are the experts in their own lives, and when their experiences are heard alongside clinical data, we can build a far stronger case for change."

“That’s why we’re pleased to partner with Prostate Cancer Research to expand the reach of Prostate Progress. Together, we’ll learn more about what it’s really like to live with prostate cancer, and make sure those insights shape better, fairer care for everyone living with cancer.”

Source: Prostate Cancer Research (PCR)