Structured, risk-stratified active surveillance: Lessons from implementing the STRATCANS approach

A BSc. (Hons) graduate of De Montfort university, I have worked at Prostate Cancer UK for the past 8-years leading on several research projects aimed at improving the prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment and support pathways. My interest in prostate cancer came as the result of my father being diagnosed, and dying from, metastatic prostate cancer in 2012. My main achievements include the publication of an active surveillance best practice consensus (2019), and more recently the consensus on the optimal use of the PSA test in asymptomatic men (2024). My Earlier Diagnosis Lead role includes the oversight of the Prostate Cancer UK Risk Checker product development team, and the coordination of a strategic group focused on policy and practice change.

Samantha has 20 years of urology experience, having worked in urology since she qualified as a staff nurse in 2005. She came into her current role as a Uro-oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist in January 2013 and subsequently became an independent prescriber in 2016. Samantha’s specialist interest is prostate cancer. She set up the Uro-oncology nurse led clinics service in Belfast. Until recently, she was the only nurse in Northern Ireland to look after men who were having radical prostatectomy and started prehabiliation clinics for men undergoing radical prostatectomy in 2014 by collaborating with specialist physiotherapy colleagues and setting up the robotic prostatectomy service in 2018, developing all of the patient information booklets and the setting up of follow up clinics.

Samantha works autonomously undertaking Red Flag prostate assessment clinics to include fast track access for those men with significantly raised PSA, transperineal prostate biopsies and nurse led result and reviews clinics. She also continues to support those patients having surgery for bladder and renal cancer. Samantha is passionate about continuous development of the Uro-oncology nurse led service in Belfast and strives for more cohesion throughout the region, through shared learning and peer support, to aid that she recently became chair of the Northern Ireland Urology Cancer Nurse Regional Forum.

Claire Turner, Dip HE RN, BSc Hons, was appointed as Lead Uro Oncology Nurse Specialist to Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust, Truro in 2023. Claire has extensive knowledge and experience within the field of Uro Oncology following her initial appointment as a specialist in Urology 19 years ago at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, where she worked closely with the robotic team, followed by further Urology and Oncology specialist roles at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford and Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter prior to her appointment in Cornwall.

Claire is a nurse prescriber, performs local anaesthetic prostate biopsies, runs a nurse led andrology service and has many years’ experience in developing and running nurse led services and clinics. She has been instrumental in delivering a range of nurse led services within Cornwall including follow up clinics for post Radiotherapy and surgery patients and patients on hormonal therapy, as well as integration of risk stratification into supported self-management of patients.

Claire has experience of developing collaborative approaches to delivering patient centred, high-quality services and is committed to a multi-disciplinary, cohesive approach in order to meet the continued challenges of delivering safe, timely and sustainable services for the Trust and the people of Cornwall.