1. Why prostate health is in the news right now

• On 21 November 2025, the NHS and research partners launched TRANSFORM, a £42 million prostate cancer screening trial – the biggest in a generation. It will invite up to 300,000 men to compare the best new tests:
   
  • PSA blood tests
     
  • Genetic “spit” tests from saliva
     
  • Fast MRI scans of the prostate NIHR
     

2. Prostate basics – what it is and what can go wrong

Common prostate conditions

1. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH – enlarged prostate)
    
   • Very common as men get older.
      
   • Can cause symptoms such as:
      
     • Needing to pass urine more often (especially at night)
        
     • Weak urine flow
        
     • Difficulty starting or stopping
        
     • Feeling that the bladder doesn’t empty fully  cht.nhs.uk
        
   • Not cancer, but can significantly affect quality of life and sometimes lead to urinary retention or infections.
      
2. Prostatitis (inflammation or infection of the prostate)
    
   • Can cause burning when passing urine, pelvic pain, discomfort between the legs or at the base of the spine, and sometimes flu-like symptoms.
      
   • Can be acute (sudden infection) or chronic (long-term inflammation).
      
3. Prostate cancer
    
   • Often has no symptoms in the early stages, which is why early detection is so difficult and so important. Prostate Cancer UK
      
   • When symptoms do appear, they can be similar to BPH (urinary frequency, weak flow) or may include blood in urine or semen, or pain if the cancer has spread to bones.
      
   • Risk increases with:
      
     • Age over 50
        
     • Black ethnicity – risk is about twice as high, and cancer is more likely to be aggressive Prostate Cancer UK
        
     • Family history of prostate, breast or ovarian cancer
        
     • Certain inherited gene changes (e.g. BRCA1 / BRCA2, sometimes called the “Jolie gene”) The Times
        

3. Why early detection matters

• NHS route – talking to their GP, who can offer a PSA blood test after a shared decision-making discussion, and refer on for specialist assessment if needed. Cancer Research UK
   
• Private route – attending a comprehensive prostate health check that combines PSA testing, ultrasound imaging, urine analysis and a GP consultation in one package, such as the Prostate Gold Package at London Private Ultrasound (LPU). London Private Ultrasound
   

4. How the NHS currently investigates prostate problems

1. History & examination
    
   • GP or specialist asks about urinary symptoms, family history, general health.
      
   • May include a digital rectal examination (DRE) to feel the back of the prostate.
      
2. Blood tests (including PSA)
    
   • PSA = Prostate-Specific Antigen, a protein made by prostate cells.
      
   • Higher levels can be due to cancer, but also enlargement, infection, recent ejaculation, cycling or even a recent urinary catheter.
      
   • PSA is helpful but not perfect – it can miss some cancers (false negatives) and give false alarms (false positives). Cancer Research UK
      
3. MRI scan
    
   • If there is concern, most men are now offered a multiparametric MRI scan of the prostate.
      
   • MRI gives a detailed picture of the gland and surrounding tissues and can help doctors decide if a biopsy is needed and where to target it. nhs.uk
      
4. Prostate biopsy
    
   • A thin needle is used to take small tissue samples from the prostate, often under ultrasound guidance (either transperineal or transrectal).
      
   • The samples are examined under the microscope to confirm if cancer is present and, if so, how aggressive it is. Prostate Cancer UK
      
5. Active surveillance or treatment
    
   • Some low-risk cancers can be safely monitored with regular PSA, MRI and sometimes repeat biopsies (“active surveillance”).
      
   • More aggressive cancers may need surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy or other treatments. nhs.uk
      

5. Where does ultrasound fit into prostate and urinary health?

1. Transabdominal ultrasound (through the tummy)
    
   • A probe is placed on the lower abdomen with gel.
      
   • Can assess:
      
     • Bladder – wall thickness, stones, masses, residual urine after voiding.
        
     • Prostate – its size and effect on bladder emptying.
        
     • Kidneys & ureters – for cysts, stones, hydronephrosis (back-pressure), or other signs of blockage.
        
2. Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)
    
   • A small probe is gently inserted into the rectum.
      
   • Provides a close-up view of the prostate and is often used to guide biopsies.
      

What ultrasound can and cannot do

• Measure prostate size and identify an enlarged prostate (BPH).
   
• Assess how well the bladder empties and whether there is residual urine.
   
• Detect stones, cysts, masses or thickening in the kidneys and bladder.
   
• Show obvious suspicious lesions in some cases (for example, a focal mass within the prostate).
   

• Rule out prostate cancer on its own. Some cancers are “occult” on ultrasound and only visible on MRI or biopsy.
   
• Replace MRI and biopsy where these are indicated.
   

6. The new TRANSFORM trial & UK government plans – what it means for you

“What is the safest and most effective way to screen men for prostate cancer in the UK?”

 

• £42 million joint investment by Prostate Cancer UK and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
   
• Will recruit up to 300,000 men aged 50–74 (and from 45 for higher-risk men such as Black men).
   
• Testing different combinations of:
   
  • PSA blood tests
     
  • Genetic spit (saliva) tests that analyse many risk genes together
     
  • Rapid MRI scans of the prostate
     
• Aim: to find a method that catches more aggressive cancers early, while reducing unnecessary biopsies and treatment.
   

• There is no automatic NHS invitation for prostate screening.
   
• Men still need to request PSA testing and assessment themselves. Cancer Research UK
   

7. How the London Private Ultrasound Prostate Gold Package helps

What’s included in the Prostate Gold Package (£535)

1. Private GP Consultation (with follow-up review of all results)
    
   • Takes place on the first Friday after your test day, either face-to-face or virtually.
      
   • Your GP will:
      
     • Review your symptoms, medical and family history.
        
     • Explain all results (ultrasound, PSA, metabolic bloods, urine tests).
        
     • Discuss your personalised risk profile.
        
     • Advise on lifestyle measures, monitoring or referral if needed.
        
2. Prostate, Kidney & Urinary Tract Ultrasound (same day)
    
   • Performed by an experienced sonographer or doctor.
      
   • Assesses:
      
     • Prostate – size, shape and impact on bladder emptying.
        
     • Bladder – wall thickness, residual urine, stones or masses.
        
     • Kidneys & urinary tract – cysts, stones, obstruction or back-pressure.
        
   • Ultrasound report available within 24 hours. Private Ultrasound Clinic
      
3. PSA Blood Test
    
   • Measures prostate-specific antigen, the main blood marker used in prostate cancer assessment.
      
   • Your GP will interpret the result taking into account your age, family history, ethnicity, prostate size, urinary symptoms and any recent infections or procedures, in line with NHS guidance  Cancer Research UK
      
4. Comprehensive Metabolic & Organ Health Blood Profile
   This panel looks far beyond the prostate to assess your general health and factors that may influence symptoms, cancer risk or treatment fitness. It includes (as defined on your package pages): London Private Ultrasound
    
   • Haematology
      
     • Full Blood Count (FBC), ESR – (checks for anaemia, infection, inflammation).
        
   • Kidney function & electrolytes
      
     • Urea, Creatinine, eGFR, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Bicarbonate – (assess kidney health, hydration and salt balance).
        
   • Liver function
      
     • Bilirubin, ALP, AST, ALT, GGT, Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin – (evaluate liver health, bile flow and protein production).
        
   • Bone & metabolic markers
      
     • Calcium, Phosphate, Uric Acid, Magnesium – (bone turnover, gout risk, mineral balance).
        
   • Metabolic markers
      
     • Glucose, Iron (with TIBC), Ferritin – (screen for diabetes risk, anaemia and iron overload).
        
   • Thyroid profile
      
     • Free T4, TSH – (assess thyroid function, which can affect energy, metabolism and overall health).
        
   • Lipid (cholesterol) profile
      
     • Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL, LDL (calculated), Non-HDL Cholesterol – (evaluate cardiovascular risk).
        
5. Urine analysis & culture
    
   • Checks for:
      
     • Blood, protein, sugar
        
     • Signs of infection (white blood cells, bacteria)
        
     • Abnormal cells
        
   • If indicated, a urine culture is performed to identify bacterial infections that can mimic or worsen prostate symptoms. London Private Ultrasound
      

Appointment & results timeline

• All tests and scans (ultrasound, bloods, urine) are completed on the same day as your visit at  London Private Ultrasound
   
• Ultrasound report: within 24 hours.
   
• Blood test results: typically within one working day (some markers may take slightly longer).
   
• GP consultation: first Friday after your visit – to explain results, answer questions and plan next steps.
   

8. How our package links to the UK’s evolving prostate screening strategy

• Like the TRANSFORM trial, we use a multi-modal approach – combining blood tests, imaging and clinical assessment – instead of relying on PSA alone. Prostate Cancer UK
• We focus particularly on men over 45 and on those with higher risk (Black men, men with a strong family history, or known BRCA mutations), which matches the direction of travel towards targeted screening. Prostate Cancer UK
   
• We provide fast access and rapid results – useful for men who are worried now and do not want to wait until the national strategy is finalised.
   

9. Who should consider a prostate health check at London Private Ultrasound?

• You are 45 or older and want a proactive assessment of your prostate and general health.
   
• You are Black or of mixed Black ethnicity (higher lifetime risk and earlier onset). Prostate Cancer UK
   
• You have a family history of prostate, breast or ovarian cancer, especially with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations. The Times
   
• You have urinary symptoms such as:
   
  • Needing to pee more often (especially at night)
     
  • Weak flow or straining
     
  • Feeling that your bladder doesn’t fully empty
     
  • Urgency or leakage
     
• You’ve had a raised PSA in the past and want a more comprehensive review.
   
• You feel anxious because of the recent news and would like specialist reassurance and a clear plan.
   

10. Important limitations and safety messages

• A normal ultrasound and a “reassuring” PSA result cannot guarantee that there is no prostate cancer. Some cancers are very small or in areas that are hard to detect with these tests.
   
• If any of your results are concerning, or if your risk is high, further tests such as MRI and possibly biopsy may still be needed.
   
• Our GP will always advise you if urgent NHS referral is required under the two-week wait cancer pathway.
   
• If you develop red-flag symptoms – such as weight loss, bone pain, difficulty passing urine at all, or feeling very unwell – you should seek urgent medical attention via your GP, NHS 111 or A&E as appropriate.
   

11. Booking your prostate health check at London Private Ultrasound

• Book online our Prostate Health Package page on London Private Ultrasound
   
• Or call our friendly team on  +4420 7101 3377 – we are open 7 days a week, 9am–7pm, at 27 Welbeck Street, London W1G 8EN.
   

• Arrange your same-day ultrasound, blood tests and urine tests.
   
• Confirm your GP consultation for the first Friday after your visit.
   
• Provide clear written reports you can also share with your NHS GP or specialist.
   

Medical reference note