An initiative to improve prostate cancer diagnosis in west Wales has won a prestigious award. The PROSTAD pathway improvement initiative was recognised at the 2024 NHS Wales Awards, winning the Efficient Care Award. The project was developed by Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB), alongside Swansea University and Cancer Research UK's Test, Evidence, Transition (TET) Programme, to tackle delays in diagnosing prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in the UK, and delayed diagnosis can negatively affect patient outcomes and quality of life. In Wales, diagnostic waiting times often exceed the 28-day recommended timeline. Yeung Ng, consultant urologist at HDUHB and clinical project lead for PROSTAD, said: "This has been a very successful collaboration which has reduced the time from referral to diagnosis of prostate cancer by 28 days for our patients in Hywel Dda.
"Lessons learnt will be shared across other cancer pathways both within the health board and on a national basis. "I am very grateful to our whole clinical and research team and to our patients for making this project a success." The project has significantly reduced waiting times, with GP referral to MRI time decreasing from 22 days to 14 days, and MRI reporting time reducing from eight days to one day.
Clinical review and biopsy decisions are now received one day after MRI. The improvements provide faster access to radiological investigation and biopsy decisions, and positive patient feedbac.