Testing Arrives in Dundee as Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative Continues Rollout

Testing arrives in Dundee as Scottish Prostate Cancer initiative continues rollout, Sandy & James Easdale drive Dundee rollout of life-saving prostate cancer testing. 

Hundreds of men in Dundee will this week undergo free, potentially life-saving checks for prostate cancer as the Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative arrives in the city.

The Initiative is being financially supported by Xplore Dundee owners Sandy and James Easdale, and their bus company will host three days of free PSA testing.

Testing got underway today at Xplore Dundee’s East Dock Street depot, with testing continuing at the firm’s city hub in Commercial Street on Tuesday and Wednesday, Each testing day has been fully booked.

The Initiative, which launched in Glasgow last month with the backing of Sir Chris Hoy, former Scotland rugby international Kenny Logan and a host of employers and organisations including Dundee City Council, has already seen thousands of men come forward for testing across the country. The Dundee events form part of a wider nationwide rollout that will see 25,000 men aged between 40 and 80 offered free PSA testing throughout 2026.

Sandy Easdale said: “This is an incredibly important Initiative that is already making a real difference across Scotland. The response we’ve seen so far shows there is a clear demand for accessible testing, and bringing this to Dundee is another major step forward.

“We are proud to support the programme and to see facilities at Xplore Dundee playing a role in helping more men take that first, vital step in understanding their health.”

James Easdale added: “Early detection is absolutely critical when it comes to prostate cancer, and initiatives like this remove many of the barriers that have traditionally stopped men coming forward.

“By hosting these sessions in Dundee, we are helping to make testing more visible, more convenient and more accessible to local communities, which is exactly what is needed.”

Men attending the sessions will receive a simple blood test to measure Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) levels. Participants will also be invited to contribute to wider research aimed at improving how prostate cancer is detected and treated, with findings to be shared with NHS Scotland.

One of the first men tested today was an Xplore Dundee engineer, Neil Armstrong.

Neil said: “This is a fantastic initiative. It’s made the whole process really simple and accessible, which makes a big difference. Like a lot of men, I’d probably have put this off otherwise, but having it available like this makes it an easy decision to come along and get checked.”

EDX Medical Group, a leading digital diagnostics company, is delivering the Initiative in conjunction with the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust, a prostate health awareness charity.

Professor Sir Chris Evans, founder of EDX Medical, said: “The message is very simple - by taking this test, men are not only potentially saving their own lives, they are helping to build the knowledge that could save countless others in the years ahead.

“One of the biggest barriers we’ve seen is reluctance around testing, but this couldn’t be more straightforward. There is no physical examination - just a quick blood sample that can provide vital information.”

“What we are doing through this Initiative is shifting the dial on early detection. The earlier prostate cancer is identified, the better the outcomes - it really is as clear-cut as that.

“The difference is stark, not just in human terms but economically. Treating prostate cancer at an early stage costs a fraction of what it does once the disease has advanced, where the burden on both patients and the healthcare system increases significantly.”

Speaking at the launch at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow last month, Sir Chris Hoy said: “This project is a major step forward for prostate cancer testing. Not only can men benefit personally from an initial test, but they can also help shape the future of diagnosing this disease that impacts so many lives. I urge my fellow Scotsmen to go and be tested.”

During the Initiative, further dates and locations will be announced across Scotland, with additional capacity expected to be added in response to demand.

Organisations supporting the project include the Scottish Police Federation, Glasgow Credit Union and Dundee City Council. Employers include Sandy and James Easdale and McGill’s Buses, The Arnold Clark Group, The Malcolm Group, Lord Haughey and City Facilities Management. Inverness Caledonian Thistle and St Johnstone Football Clubs will be hosting testing events at their stadiums.

For further information, visit: www.scottishprostate.com.