EDX is to be the primary delivery partner in the Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative, a new project which aims to improve the early detection and diagnosis of the disease.
The Initiative has been launched at the Royal Glasgow of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow by Olympian Sir Chris Hoy, Scottland rugby internationalist, Kenny Logan, Sir Tom Hunter and Professor Sir Chris Evans, founder of EDX Medical.
Major employers and organisations from various sectors are supporting the Initiative.
Throughout this year, EDX Medical will provide diagnostic tests and laboratory services to the Initiative which will offer 25,000 men across Scotland aged between 40 and 80 free PSA testing.
Each man who participates in the Initiative will be asked to give a simple blood sample to measure Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) levels. In addition, a range of more advanced diagnostic tests will be deployed across selected groups of men to help develop a greater understanding of the role of genetic risk and the significance of other biochemical markers in the origins of prostate cancer.
The aim of the study is to explore how the existing clinical pathway for detecting and treating prostate cancer can be improved.
The not-for-profit Initiative is supported by a range of organisations and employers across Scotland and findings from the study will be made available to NHS Scotland.
Organisations supporting the project include the Scottish Police Federation, Glasgow Credit Union and Dundee City Council. Employers include businessmen Sandy and James Easdale and McGill’s Buses, The Arnold Clark Group, The Malcolm Group, Lord Haughey and City Facilities Management. Inverness Caledonian Thistle and St Johnstone Football Clubs will be hosting testing events at their stadiums.
EDX Medical is delivering the Initiative in conjunction with the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust, a prostate health awareness charity. A pilot programme was completed in February and early March in the West of Scotland with the support of employers. More than 1400 men underwent tests in a week.
Professor Sir Chris Evans, OBE, founder of EDX Medical, said: “This Initiative has tremendous potential to save lives and heralds a new era for prostate cancer diagnosis and EDX Medical is proud to be playing a leading role in the delivery of the project.
“Testing 25,000 men is a big challenge but we’re delighted that so many employers and organisations have rallied round. We hope that many more will also join us in promoting the Initiative in the months ahead. We had a fantastic, positive response to the pilot programme and we hope that enthusiasm will be carried across all of Scotland.”
