ISSUE 54 EWJ web - Journal - Page 37
PRAISE-U Launches Encouraging
Early Detection of Prostate Cancer
EU-wide project aims to reduce prostate cancer mortality through smart early detection
The EU4Health programme has approved PRAISEU (Prostate cancer Awareness and Initiative for
Screening in the European Union), an ambitious
three-year project involving 25 institutions from 12
countries. PRAISE-U’s mission is to design a nationally-tailored cost- effective early detection algorithm
for prostate cancer screening in the EU to reduce
morbidity and mortality caused by prostate cancer
while avoiding overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
tection and diagnosis of prostate cancer in EU Member States through smart early detection and stimulate the implementation of early detection
programmes in Member States. By aligning protocols
and guidelines across Member States and enabling the
collection and analysis of relevant data, the project
aims to reduce prostate cancer morbidity and mortality rates in
Europe with customised and riskbased screening programmes.
Prostate cancer is the number 1 and 2 cancer killing
men in northern and western Europe respectively. It
is the most frequent male cancer in Europe with important consequences for healthcare systems. Every
year, around 450,000 European men are diagnosed
with prostate cancer. Delayed diagnosis can lead to
higher rates of metastasised disease, which is a disease
state that coincides with a high mortality rate and a
prolonged negative impact on the quality of life. It has
been shown that organised repeated screening results
in early detection that can reduce suffering and dying
from prostate cancer.1 Modern tools and strategies can
streamline the process to detect cancer when it poses
a threat to the patient.
Prof. Hein Van Poppel, chair of the EAU Policy
Office: “The diagnostic pathway for prostate cancer
has improved tremendously over the past decades1 .
PRAISE-U marks a new era in early detection of
prostate cancer. Through this project, we want to provide clear guidelines and quality assurance tools that
can be used by pilot sites to demonstrate that risk
based approaches are effective, feasible, acceptable
and cost effective. In our consortium, we have a strong
partnership with the right mix of international academic experts, healthcare professionals, social scientists, economists, patients and health system pilot sites
to make this a success.”
To achieve PRAISE-U’s goals a multi-disciplinary
consortium centred around Europe’s leading clinicians and researchers in prostate cancer has been es-
In direct partnership with a network of consortium
members, PRAISE-U works to encourage early deDr Edney Boston-Griffiths
Mr Peter D Rimington
Consultant Urologist
Consultant Cardiologist and Interventionalist
MBBS MRCP MD(Res)
Dr Edney Boston-Griffiths is a consultant cardiologist and interventionalist
M.B.Ch.B. M.Med.(Urol) F.C.S.(S.A.)
working at Dorset County Hospital, a position he has held since August of 2019.
Mr Peter D Rimington is a Consultant Urologist at Eastbourne District General Hospital,
from 2000 to the present.
In addition to coronary intervention, Dr Boston-Griffiths is the co-lead of the
Cardiac CT service as well as the clinical lead for secondary prevention in
cardiovascular disease at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. His
Since 2000 Mr Rimington has provided minimal access surgery at Eastbourne District
General Hospital and developed the urology service at the hospital to provide oncologic
care for all urologic cancers for the entire county of Sussex as well as Eastern Kent.
The hospital is now recognised as the urology cancer centre for the region.
non-clinical responsibilities include being a clinical appraiser and a sub-investigator
for cardiovascular research trials.
Dr Boston-Griffiths has completed an interventional cardiology fellowship program
at St Boniface General hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
In 2002 after performing a number of laparoscopic nephrectomies and adrenalectomies,
Mr Rimington was the first urological surgeon in the UK to perform regular laparoscopic
cystectomy and ileal conduit formation. He assisted the team at Guys Hospital to set up
their robotic cystectomy service. Since 2009 he has performed laparoscopic radical
prostatectomies. In 2015 he arranged funding for a da Vinci robot and since then has
performed only robotic assisted pelvic surgery; he has now performed over 800
prostatectomies and 300 radical cystectomies using this technique. He continues to
innovate robotic techniques such as parastomal hernia repair and excision of TVT tapes.
Mr Rimington is a provider of post fellowship advanced robotic training in pelvic oncology
to the regional deanery.
He has also completed a 2 year MD research post at the Hatter Cardiovascular
Institute, University College London. As part of his research, he led a multi-centre
study, investigating the use of novel cardio-protective strategies in combating
ischaemia-reperfusion injury.
Dr Boston-Griffiths' interventional cardiology practice involves managing patients
with acute coronary syndromes as well as complex coronary intervention involving
chronic total occlusions. He also partakes in a 1 in 7 primary PCI rota centred at
the University Hospital Dorset.
He is the lead clinical coordinator of the cardiac rehabilitation programme at
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust whereby he facilitates patient
engagement with a team of experts including: a cardiac fitness coach, dietitian,
With his extensive experience of minimal access surgery, Mr Rimington has a unique insight
into the physiology, surgical practice and patterns of post-operative recovery of these
procedures and can use this knowledge to assess medical practice.
exercise behavioural therapist, mind-body expert and a cognitive behavioural
therapist.
Contact: Georgina Jessup - secretary
Contact: Lucie Parrish (Secretary)
Tel: 01323 748807
Email: secretary@oldorchardclinic.co.uk
Old Orchard Consulting Rooms, 7B Old Orchard Road,
Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 1DB
Area of work: Kent, Surrey & Sussex
Mobile: 07557 376983
Email: edney80@gmail.com - Alternate Email: info@dorseardiologypractice.com
Website: dorseardiologypractice.com
The Dorset Cardiology Practice, The Poundbury Clinic,
Middlemarsh Street, Poundbury, Dorchester, DT1 3FD
Area of work: Dorset & Nationwide
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
35
APRIL 2024