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A new NHS initiative aims to dramatically speed up prostate cancer diagnosis by using artificial intelligence (AI) to interpret MRI scans within minutes. The trial, which will begin at up to 15 hospitals in England—starting with Leeds Teaching Hospital—promises to deliver same-day results for men suspected of having prostate cancer. Currently, patients often wait several days or even weeks between scans and biopsies due to limited radiology capacity. The AI tool quickly identifies suspicious lesions and flags high-risk cases for immediate review by a radiologist, allowing biopsies to be performed on the same day.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting described prostate cancer as a “devastating disease” and said the technology represents a major step forward in cutting down the distress caused by long waiting times. “By harnessing the power of technology, we are revolutionising our NHS,” he said, adding that faster diagnoses will lead to better outcomes and less strain on doctors. Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer, highlighted that speed is crucial for improving survival rates, as early detection allows treatment to begin sooner.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with figures from Prostate Cancer UK showing that one in eight men will develop the disease during their lifetime. In England alone, 58,218 men were diagnosed last year—an almost 9% rise compared with 2023. The growing number of cases has intensified calls for earlier detection and national screening. Public figures such as broadcaster Dermot Murnaghan and rugby legend Sir Ian McGeechan have both urged men, especially those in high-risk groups, to get tested.
Amy Rylance from Prostate Cancer UK welcomed the AI trial, saying it could “save men prolonged anxiety and the bother of hospital trips,” while also helping the NHS workforce manage its growing caseload. If successful, the technology could mark a significant turning point for prostate cancer care in England—delivering quicker, more efficient, and more compassionate diagnoses for thousands of men each year.
