Awareness Campaign Elements

Raising awareness of prostate cancer in Black men is a crucial part of improving early diagnosis and outcomes. This section provides practical tools and ideas to support GPs, healthcare teams, and community partners in delivering effective, culturally sensitive awareness campaigns.

By engaging both clinical settings and the wider community, we aim to empower men with the knowledge and confidence to seek timely advice and screening.

This toolkit aims to make it simple for GPs and primary care healthcare teams to implement a multi-channel approach, combining digital, community, and patient-led strategies to reach Black men effectively and sensitively.

Awareness campaigns can help by

  • Sharing easy-to-understand facts.
  • Talking to different communities in ways that work for them.
  • Encouraging men to speak to their doctor, even if they feel fine.

Reaching out to these “hard to reach” groups means going where they are - like community centres, barbershops, or places of worship - and making sure they feel safe and listened to.

Everyone deserves the chance to catch cancer early. That’s why prostate cancer awareness matters.

To support on running awarness campaigns please see guidance on how to run awareness sessions / campaigns in the community.

Saving Black Men's Lives: A Manifesto for Collaborative Change

West Midlands Cancer Alliance partnered with Prostate Cancer UK to launch Saving Black Men’s Lives in Prostate Cancer: A Manifesto for Collaborative Change.

Saving Black Men's Lives: A Manifesto for Collaborative Change

One in 4 black men are likely to develop prostate cancer, which is double that of the general population. And the risk is far higher if you have a family history.

We are committed to ensuring no man dies from prostate cancer, and that no man is left behind.

Read more in our manifesto

Please see a snapshot of the Manifesto launch day

Awareness Videos to Support Campaigns

Using the voices of our own patient advocates, West Midlands Cancer Alliance has developed two videos to raise awareness through lived experience.

It’s Time to Talk: Prostate Cancer and Black Men’s Health 

Her Voice. His life. Prostate Cancer in Black Men

Videos are available to download from Vimeo. Right-click on the video and click 'View on Vimeo'. There is a download button available under the video title.

Top Ideas for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Prostate Awareness IconMarch - Prostate Awareness Month

Urological Awareness IconSeptember - Urological Awareness Month

Run a Prostate Cancer Awareness Event

  • Target men over 50, especially Black men and men with a family history.
  • Offer free blood pressure checks or general health checks too — it draws more people in
  • Offer the PSA Counselling and limitations and options to book in for their PSA in targeted clinics

Read more

Fundraise for Research and Support

There are several prostate cancer awareness campaigns in the UK and around the world. These campaigns aim to raise awareness, encourage early testing, and reduce health inequalities.

Here are some key ones:

Prostate Cancer UK

PCUK Horizontal White RGB

  • Who runs it: Prostate Cancer UK (a leading charity in the UK)
  • Focus:
    • Raising awareness, especially in Black men and older men.
    • Sharing facts about prostate cancer risk.
    • Encouraging men to take an online risk checker.
  • Special efforts: Works with barbers, churches, and sports clubs to reach Black men and other hard-to-reach groups.

NHS - Prostate Cancer Risk Checker

Prostate Cancer Risk Checker

  • Who runs it: NHS and government campaigns
  • Focus:
    • A short online tool that helps men find out if they’re at higher risk.
    • Promoted through TV, radio, posters, and social media.
  • Targeted groups: Black men, men over 50, and men with a family history of cancer.

Movember

Movember Stacked Logo White

  • Who runs it: The Movember Foundation (global campaign)
  • Focus:
    • Men grow moustaches in November to raise money and awareness for men’s health.
    • Funds research and support for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health.
  • Reach: Worldwide – very popular and widely shared.

“Know Your Risk” Campaigns (Local and Community-Led)

  • Who runs it: Often run by local councils, GP surgeries, and community groups.
  • Focus:
    • Leaflets, events, and talks in places like barbershops, mosques, and churches.
    • Tries to speak directly to Black men and men in deprived areas.

Why These Campaigns Matter

  • They break the silence around men’s health.
  • They target high-risk groups who may not know the dangers.
  • They help reduce health inequalities by giving everyone the chance to get checked early.

Read more