Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men with around 1 in 9 men diagnosed in their lifetime. In Northern Ireland, it is estimated that 1,200 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year and at least 8,500 men are currently living with a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

At Queens we have a team of approximately 40 researchers working to improve the lives of these men by focusing on clinical and translational research, and applying scientific discoveries to patient care. Many of our team combine their experience as doctors in the Trust with their research insights from the laboratories at the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research at Queen's, bridging the gap between laboratory bench and patient bedside.

We estimate that over 800 Northern Irish prostate cancer patients have been involved in 30 different international clinical trials over the last 15 years, furthering our understanding of this devastating disease and improving care across the UK and globally. We are proud that Belfast has been a major contributor to this research effort, which has resulted in many new therapies and significantly improved survival so that outcomes for prostate cancer patients have improved dramatically in those 15 years.

The team, based at the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research and the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, are led by oncologists Professor Joe O'Sullivan, Professor Suneil Jan and Dr Aidan Cole are now focused on improving treatments for those patients with the most serious types of prostate cancer. For example, one of our trials is testing the safety and effectiveness of reducing radiotherapy treatment schedules from the current 4 weeks to just 1 week - a much more practical treatment plan for patients. We are also testing different forms of radiation in men presenting with prostate cancer already spread to the bones.

In partnership with colleagues in the University of Manchester, the team has been recognised as an international centre of excellence in prostate cancer research known as FASTMAN since 2015.

Through the Queen's Foundation, your gift goes directly to the prostate cancer research team here in Belfast. Your support will allow them to advance their research, recruit more patients to trials and support the training of young researchers who will be the future of this team.

Thank you for helping us make the difference to men with prostate cancer.