Top cancer consultant Professor Nick James has teamed up with leading musicians to reach men most at risk of prostate cancer through an innovative campaign using the medium of music.

The ground-breaking project was initiated by musician John Hoo (stage name Johnny Hoo), a prostate cancer patient at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Cancer Centre, who was under the care of Prof James.

John and his musician friends have written and produced a series of pieces of music in a range of styles including Reggae and Bhangra, all with the theme ‘Prostate Cancer: It's a Man Thing’.

The music, which features artists such as Wayne Irie, Mendhi Mohinder Singh and Ash Kumar, will be available to download via all major online stores as well as via a limited edition CD.

The lyrics are aimed at high-risk groups such as the African-Caribbean community where there is roughly double the risk of developing prostate cancer as well as increased risk of death once diagnosed. The increased risk of death is driven at least in part by late presentation, reducing treatment options.

Prof James, who is based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and University of Warwick, said: “We aim to raise £1 million to increase awareness and to encourage high-risk groups to get themselves checked out and treated at an earlier stage.

“Working together with these respected and recognised musicians means our message is more likely to be heard by sometimes difficult-to-reach groups.”

In November 2013 they organised a jazz concert with special guest Courtney Pine and numerous local jazz musicians and friends. With the support of Prostate Cancer UK and the QEHB Charity, they raised over £4,000.

John said: “We realised how effective music was in conveying the message, especially within the African-Caribbean community, and that we needed to target men in particular to be aware of prostate cancer and to educate the health services to their specific cultural and social barriers. We also realised that this would benefit all men as the profile of prostate cancer through music could have a greater impact.”

The campaign was launched as a musical event in November 2013 at the Hyatt Regency in Birmingham. There was live music from special guests Courtney Pine, Wayne Irie, Mark Hamilton, Johnny Hoo and a host of musician friends.

For further information on the project, please see the ‘Prostate Cancer: It's a Man Thing’ pages on the Warwick Medical School website.