10,000 men sought for major study to improve early prostate cancer diagnosis

Prostate Cancer Research and Nuffield Health launch BEYOND-PSA to improve early detection of aggressive prostate cancer
Recruiting 10,000 men to evaluate the Stockholm3 blood test in a UK clinical setting
Jeremy Clarkson’s prostate cancer was detected with the Stockholm3 test in 2025
Open to men aged 45–74; testing heavily subsidised, with support for uninsured men unable to self-pay

Prostate Cancer Research and Nuffield Health have announced the launch of BEYOND-PSA, a landmark clinical study aimed at improving the early detection of aggressive prostate cancer. The study will recruit 10,000 men to evaluate the performance of the Stockholm3 blood-based risk assessment test within a UK clinical setting.

The study, the first of its kind to be championed by an independent healthcare provider in the UK, will be launched and delivered at Nuffield Health Barbican Medical Centre. It will assess whether the Stockholm3 test can improve the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer compared with the standard age-adjusted PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) testing currently recommended by NICE. Where clinically indicated, participants will also be offered a funded MRI scan at Nuffield Health Highgate Hospital.

Prostate cancer remains the second most common cause of cancer death in UK men, accounting for approximately 12,200 deaths every year. Prostate cancer has extremely high one year survival rates (around 100%) if caught early (in stages 1, 2, or 3) falling to 87.6% if detected in stage 4. By the 5-year mark survival rates for stage 4 metastatic disease fall to 50%, as opposed to 100% in stages 1 and 2 and 95% in stage 3.

While the standard PSA test is a common triage tool for screening, it can sometimes be impacted by lifestyle, miss aggressive cancers, or return high results for non-cancerous conditions, leading to unnecessary anxiety and medical interventions. The Stockholm3 test aims to provide a more accurate risk profile by combining protein biomarkers with genetic markers and clinical data.

The Stockholm3 test was used to help diagnose Jeremy Clarkson’s prostate cancer in 2025.

New study data published in June 2026 suggests that the Stockholm3 test may address the limitations of the standard PSA test by improving the early detection of aggressive prostate cancers. As the test is better at distinguishing between cancer and benign conditions in men with elevated PSA it decreases the need for costly, invasive, and potentially unneeded MRIs or biopsies.

Dr Jayne Spink, Translational Research Director at Prostate Cancer Research, said: "Early detection is the most effective way to save lives, yet the current testing landscape means too many aggressive cancers are missed or found too late. We know that 14 per cent of all male cancer deaths in the UK are due to prostate cancer, and this figure rises to 22 per cent in Black men. This study is a vital step in building the evidence base for a more precise diagnostic pathway that can identify those who need treatment earlier, while sparing others from unnecessary procedures."

Dr Unnati Desai, National Lead for GP Services at Nuffield Health, said: "Nuffield Health is a not-for-profit healthcare organisation and we are proud to work alongside Prostate Cancer Research to lead this critical, in-depth research into prostate cancer testing to improve health outcomes for men across the capital. We have the ability and deep expertise to be the lead partner of the BEYOND-PSA study, facilitated at our Nuffield Health Barbican Medical Centre, to provide a unique environment where men can access advanced testing for a nominal cost, whilst remaining integrated with NHS pathways if further investigation is required."

Gabriel Sam-Yorke, 66, a cab driver from Fulham and the first patient to take part in the study, said: “I’ve seen first-hand what prostate cancer can do. I’ve lost friends to it, and it’s something too many men still don’t talk about, especially here in London where we’ve got the chance to do something about it. That’s why I signed up. It was straightforward, and if taking part helps catch cancer earlier and improve testing for other men, it’s worth it. As a Black man, I know my risk is higher, so I feel a responsibility to be part of this. I’d really encourage men across London to get involved in the study, get checked, and talk to the people around you about it – because the more of us that step forward, the more lives we can save.”

Study accessibility, trial criteria and corporate funding

To ensure the study is representative and accessible, participation is being made available to men from all financial backgrounds. The Stockholm3 test will be heavily subsidised for all participants, meaning that it will cost £99. A further fund has been established to provide fully subsidised tests for uninsured men, referred by their NHS GP, who are unable to self-pay this cost.

Research in Europe on more than 12,000 men aged 50 to 74 found the test identified up to 90 per cent of clinically significant prostate cancers.

This compared with rates of 42 per cent detected using standard screening methods, which measure prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and assess risk using age-adjusted thresholds.

The study is open to men aged between 45 and 74, with no previous diagnosis of prostate cancer who are registered with an NHS GP surgery and are able to access the London sites.

For further information on the study and how to take part, visit: nuffieldhealth.com or call 03452 302 040.

Funding for BEYOND-PSA has been provided to PCR by one of the charity’s corporate partners, Information Security Forum (ISF).

Steve Durbin, ISF CEO, said: “ISF are proud to be part of this collaboration to improve men's health in the UK and beyond. By supporting research initiatives like BEYOND-PSA, and engaging our global community, we hope to contribute to earlier intervention and lasting impact within and beyond our industry. If we can make even a small difference for individuals and their families through our partnership with PCR, it will be time well invested”.