The van is touring in a number of locations throughout Greater Manchester. Please check this webpage where locations will be updated regularly.

You will need to book an appointment in advance, which you can do below. Please have your NHS number ready.

If the van isn’t in your area or you are not able to book an appointment, it’s still important to seek support. If you are black and over 45 or over 45 with a prostate and a history of prostate, breast or ovarian cancer in your family we would recommend that you should speak to your GP to discuss your risk.

Informal chat with a professional

When you turn up, you will be able to talk to a member of NHS staff, privately and in a relaxed environment.

Our NHS staff will talk to you about your risk of prostate cancer, answer any questions that you might have and provide information about your prostate health.

You can then also choose whether or not to have a free Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test. If you decide to go ahead and have a PSA blood test, we will take a blood sample from your arm, whilst you are in in the van. We will get back to you with your results within a few weeks. If you need any further tests, we’ll let you know.

You can talk to a member of NHS staff in a private and relaxed environment.

The PSA test is a blood test that measures the amount of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. A raised PSA level may suggest you have a problem with your prostate, it does not necessarily mean that you have cancer.

The test does not give a conclusive diagnosis on its own, but together with information about your individual lifestyle and risk it can be a helpful tool for doctors to decide if you may need further tests or treatment. You can find out more on the Prostate Cancer UK website.

You will be given an information leaflet by healthcare staff when you attend for your appointment.

If you choose to have a PSA test, your blood will be taken to the lab to test. One of the ThisVanCan team will follow up with you via letter. They’ll let you know your results and whether any if there’s any further investigations you may require.

If you have not received your results within 14 days, please contact ThisVanCan.

• You already have a history of prostate cancer – the aim of this project is to help find new cases of prostate cancer
• If you have got a urinary infection or had one in the last 6 weeks because this can affect the PSA result

 We’d also advise you avoid having a PSA test if you have done any of the activities below as this can effect PSA levels

• Ejaculated in previous 48 hours
• Exercised vigorously, for example cycling in the previous 48 hours
• Had a urological procedure such as catheter insertion, camera test into your bladder or prostate biopsy in previous 6 weeks

If you have any of the following symptoms we would advise you to contact your GP as you will require a more in depth assessment which cannot be done on the mobile van.

• Lower urinary tract symptoms, such as problems passing urine, such as passing urine a lot at night , frequency , struggling to start or feeling like your bladder hasn’t emptied
• Erectile dysfunction
• Blood in your urine
• Lower back or bone pain
• Extreme tiredness lasting more than 3 weeks
• Unexplained weight loss

When you book your appointment, let us know which date and location you are interested in.

Telephone: 07974074111

Email: millie.wadley1@nhs.net.

Or you can visit your GP if you are worried about your risk of prostate cancer and would prefer to speak to them.

If you have been feeling poorly, unwell or have had a symptom/s for more than 3 weeks, then please contact your surgery and make an appointment with your GP.