About Us

Transforming Research. Transforming Lives.

Together, we will develop and deliver breakthrough medicines and treatments to achieve a world where people are free from the impact of prostate cancer.

It is only through research that we can build a future in which no family will have to fear losing a loved one to prostate cancer. But here at Prostate Cancer Research we’re not just working to add years to life; we’re also about adding life to years. Prostate cancer and the way it is currently treated brings physical and emotional side effects for the patient, their family and community, cuts too many lives short, and steals away the time that families should be able to spend together and enjoy.

At PCR, patient focus is in our DNA. Through patient panels, and meetings with the scientists, we are able to fill the gaps and fund both cutting-edge and relevant research that will have a direct impact on patients. In the last four years our team has expanded the amount of research we fund by four times, and have opened grant calls based on patient feed back, including bone metastasis and racial inequalities.

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The research PCR is doing has got to have more impact per pound than any other charity in the world, and we appreciate how they bring us in – we’re not just a number in a big pond.
Aaron McSkimming
imming Fundraises for PCR in honour of his father, Alexander McSkimming

Our Research

Over the past four years, we have grown our research activities five-fold, notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cancer is a complex disease and we will always need a menu of different options to treat it, so that individuals can choose the right option for them. Our research reflects this: we take a wide variety of approaches, from improving current therapies to developing new ones, to making new discoveries about the fundamental biology of the disease and the supports that would help more men access the treatment and care they need, and stick to it.

Our History and Vision

Prostate Cancer Research was originally founded by Professor John Masters, a scientist who was passionate about finding new treatments for prostate cancer.

Since then, we have continued to strive forward to build a future where people are free from the impact of prostate cancer.

Our team has expanded the amount of research we fund five times over in four years, been shortlisted for an impact prize, and identified and targeted specific unmet needs in the prostate cancer ecosystem, such as racial inequalities and bone metastasis.

Together with people affected by prostate cancer, we have developed a number of patient projects. From building a new platform to help patients make better choices to setting up a first-of-its-kind prostate cancer registry in the UK.

How We Work

Our Research Strategy is based on the core values of: funding innovative and ambitious (or bold, pioneering) research; collaboration; promoting the careers of young scientists; and funding research into accessible treatments which will reduce the costs and burden on health systems and patients & their families.

When selecting projects to fund, we use the expertise of our internal research team and our Scientific Advisory Committee to ensure a project is scientifically world-class. We use our Patient Voice Groups to ensure a project is relevant to people with prostate cancer. We encourage and support innovation with the understanding that the more innovative something is, the more risk comes with it.

Once we make an award to a scientist, the relationship doesn’t stop. We monitor and evaluate that project’s performance the whole way. We help our researchers maximize their impact by connecting them with patients, so that they gain a deeper understanding of patient challenges. We help our scientists build new collaborations and partnerships with other scientists and industry, so they can share ideas, resources, and expertise.

Working in this way gives us the best chance of saving and improving lives.

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Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of death in American men. Current data indicate that 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. Research into the causes and prevention of this cancer remains critical, but compared to the extensive damage this disease will cause, is significantly underfunded.
We believe research and development into treatments to prevent or contain prostate cancer can deliver among the greatest returns on investment of any human activity. Generous supporters like you enable us to fund life-changing research and to bring us closer to a future free from the fear of prostate cancer.
Richard Collier
Chairman of PCR US