Technology can help in prostate cancer battle

When I was diagnosed with stage 2 prostate cancer it was a life-changing moment. Like many men, I had no symptoms and only discovered the disease through routine work medicals.

Thankfully, early detection meant my treatment was successful. But for thousands of men the story is very different. Today, 25-33 per cent of prostate cancer cases in Scotland are diagnosed at stage 4, when treatment options are limited and survival rates are drastically lower. My mission is to work with Prostate Scotland to help reduce that figure to 10 per cent over the next ten years, and I believe technology can help make it happen.

As CEO and founder of Forrit, a company specialising in digital transformation and AI-driven solutions, I see first-hand how data and innovation can solve complex problems. Healthcare is no exception. The challenge is clear: men are not being diagnosed early enough. The reasons range from lack of awareness to limited access to screening. But what if we could use digital tools to change behaviour, improve education and make proactive health checks the norm? AI thrives on data, and prostate cancer detection is no different. By partnering with healthcare providers, charities and research organisations we can create platforms that analyse risk factors including age, family history and ethnicity, and deliver personalised reminders and educational content. Imagine an app that nudges men to book a PSA test, tracks results and connects them to support networks. This isn’t science fiction; Dr Iaonna Nixon, Consultant Clinician Oncologist and prostate cancer specialist, educated me in how behavioural science and current digital tools makes this all achievable with the technology we have today.

Early diagnosis lays open a wider menu of treatment options

One of the biggest hurdles is stigma. Men often avoid conversations about their health. Digital engagement can change that. Interactive campaigns powered by AI can target individuals with tailored messages, using language and imagery that resonate. With modern cloud-based solutions, it is easy to build systems that manage complex content securely and at scale, perfect for national awareness campaigns that need to reach millions while respecting privacy.

Beyond awareness, AI can help predict who is most at risk. By integrating anonymised health data, machine learning models can identify patterns and flag individuals who should seek testing sooner. This proactive approach could dramatically reduce late-stage diagnoses, saving lives and reducing strain on healthcare systems.

My experience has taught me the value of early detection. It also gave me a purpose: to ensure fewer men face the fear and uncertainty of a stage 4 diagnosis. By combining Scotland’s digital expertise with the power of AI, amazing clinicians like Dr Nixon and charities like Prostate Scotland, it is possible to create solutions that educate, engage and empower. The goal is ambitious, cutting late-stage diagnoses from 25-33 per cent to 10 per cent, but with collaboration and innovation, it’s within reach.

Prostate cancer does not have to be a silent killer. Technology can give men a voice, a choice and a chance. And that is a future worth fighting for.

Peter Proud, CEO and Founder, Forrit