As part of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a mobile PSA testing clinic will be stationed at the heart of Westminster on Wednesday 26 March 2025, offering free prostate cancer checks to Parliamentarians and staff, while highlighting the importance of early detection.
The outdoor drop-in event, held in Speaker’s Court on the Parliamentary Estate, is being delivered in partnership between The Prostate Project, a charity dedicated to improving prostate cancer outcomes through earlier diagnosis and better access to care and Medefer, an NHS-partnered healthcare organisation.
At the centre of the event is the Man Van, a mobile prostate screening unit that offers free PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood tests, a key first step in identifying potential signs of prostate cancer. Testing is open to men aged 50 to 70, and those over 45 with Black heritage or a family history of prostate cancer.
This marks the first time the Man Van has appeared on the Parliamentary Estate, with the goal of not only providing checks but raising national awareness about why early testing matters.
Why this event is needed
Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK, with around 55,000 new cases every year. Despite this, symptoms often do not appear until the disease has advanced, and over 40 percent of cases are still detected at a late stage. When caught early, prostate cancer has a survival rate of over 80 percent.
Speaking ahead of the event, Medefer CEO Dr Bahman Nedjat said:
“We know early diagnosis saves lives, but too often men are not aware of their risk, or are unsure how to get tested. That’s why events like this matter, they break down barriers, get people talking, and make testing easy and accessible. We are proud to be delivering this in partnership with The Prostate Project and grateful for the cross-party support it has received.”
About the Man Van
The Man Van initiative was launched by The Prostate Project to bring life-saving prostate cancer checks into local communities. By going mobile, the van reaches men who might not otherwise seek help, especially those in underserved areas or facing access barriers.
Through generous donations, over £200,000 has been raised to get the Man Van on the road. Continued support is essential to keep the service running and expanding its reach.
Driving innovation in early detection
Medefer has been at the forefront of prostate cancer screening innovation, having partnered with the Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance on the Targeted Prostate Health Check programme, a case-finding initiative that invited over 66,000 at-risk men for simple urine and PSA blood tests. The project not only identified previously undetected cancers, but also significantly increased testing awareness among participants.
In line with Medefer’s mission to transform access to outpatient care, the programme also cut PSA blood test result turnaround times from the usual 1–2 weeks to an average of just 1.25 days, helping patients get faster answers and earlier referrals.
Event details
- Date: Wednesday 26 March 2025
- Time: 11:00 to 16:30
- Location: Speaker’s Court, House of Commons Estate
All Parliamentarians, staff and invited guests are encouraged to attend, whether to take a test, speak with the team or help raise awareness of this important cause.
