As we launch new pages on the European screening project, Europa Uomo’s Erik Briers explains its significance

With work on PRAISE-U continuing apace around Europe, Europa Uomo has launched new pages on its website explaining the project, its actions and the objectives it aims to have complete by April 2026.

PRAISE -U is an international initiative, set up by the European Union to develop an effective framework for prostate cancer early detection. It could lead to organised screening programmes becoming widespread across Europe. Europa Uomo has been involved from the start.

The new PRAISE-U pages on this website provide a simple guide for those who may not have expert knowledge. Erik Briers, Europa Uomo’s Vice Chairman (pictured), is leading Europa Uomo's involvement with PRAISE-U. Here, he explains why it is important that men with prostate cancer understand the project and why Europa Uomo has been so closely involved:

“Europa Uomo was created more than 20 years ago and from the start it was clear that our main interests would be screening for prostate cancer.  At that time, we only had the PSA test and this test was used without a clear plan so many patients were treated actively where they had a low risk cancer.”

“Even in those days we asked for the ‘intelligent’ use of the PSA test and subsequent biopsies to diagnose prostate cancer. But we had to wait for the European Council screening recommendation of 2022 and then the PRAISE-U project to really work towards that objective.”

“Today we are accelerating fast to get screening for prostate cancer. It will be based on a risk assessment, with PSA testing and then MRI scans used before progressing on to biopsies.”

“As a patient organisation we are deeply committed to PRAISE-U being successful and for it to be the start of screening in all European member states. This will save many lives and save many men from suffering with metastasized cancer.  On top of that, it will save a lot of money:  curative treatment costs less than 10% the cost of caring for a person with metastasised cancer to the end of life.”