A distinguished doctor, Dr. Jyoti Shah, who received an MBE from King Charles, has diagnosed over 100 cases of prostate cancer through innovative pop-up clinics in the local community, including sports clubs. Dr. Shah, a Macmillan Consultant Urological Surgeon in the NHS, launched these initiatives after noticing a significant rise in undiagnosed prostate cancer cases.
Dr. Shah’s concern stemmed from the fact that prostate cancer often has no clear early symptoms and many men are reluctant to visit their GP unless absolutely necessary. To address this, she initiated the Fighting Prostate Cancer campaign, offering alternative, less intimidating spaces for men to get their prostates checked. Pop-up clinics have been held in various locations, such as Burton Albion Football Club, police headquarters, and Derbyshire Rolls Royce headquarters.
“The problem with prostate cancer is that it’s a silent killer,” said Dr. Shah, who works at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust. “Every 45 minutes, one man dies from it – but if we pick it up early, we can cure it. So why are so many men dying? A lot of it stems from the barriers men face when it comes to testing. Either they are too busy working or they carry some embarrassment about it. They generally seem reluctant to address these problems, and it was with this in mind that I set up the campaign.”
Dr. Shah transformed a disused Covid-19 testing bus into a prostate screening bus, creating a more relaxed environment for testing. The first pop-up clinic in her local community of Peterborough on New Year’s Eve 2023 was a huge success, highlighting the need for more accessible ways for men to get tested.
To date, Dr. Shah and her team have tested nearly 3,300 men and held 45 events, identifying at least one positive case of prostate cancer at each event. The testing process involves checking prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels via a blood test and a subsequent prostate examination. Personalized result letters are provided to each patient and their GP.
“One in eight men will get prostate cancer in the UK,” Dr. Shah noted. “If you aren’t going to come to me in the clinic to get checked, I’ll come out to you in the community.”
Post-treatment care presents another challenge, as men often face issues such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction after surgery. To tackle this, Dr. Shah has partnered with pelvic health brand iMEDicare-Pelvic Health Naturally, which offers medical devices to manage these conditions.
Dr. Shah refers her patients to iMEDicare-Pelvic Health Naturally for solutions like the SOMAerect Size to Fit Vacuum Erection Device, which supports penile health and provides full rigidity for intimacy. Additionally, the Afex Active range offers discreet, bodyworn urinal devices, allowing patients to maintain active lifestyles post-op without the need for frequent diaper changes.
“We won’t leave anyone suffering post-treatment stranded with no solutions,” Dr. Shah assured.
For her significant contributions to prostate cancer screening and diagnosis, Dr. Shah was awarded an MBE by King Charles earlier this year, having been included in the New Year Honours List 2022.
“I am deeply honoured to receive this accolade, especially from HRH The King,” Dr. Shah expressed. “This is a reflection of the dedication of the incredible team volunteering with me. All of us are passionate and fully committed to continue raising awareness and treating men with this dreaded disease as early as possible.”
Dr. Shah’s message to men is clear: “If you haven’t had your PSA checked and you are over 50 or have a family history of prostate cancer – go and get checked. Prostate cancer doesn’t have to be life-ending – the earlier we catch it, the more likely it is to be cured.”
