July 22, 2026
Farm vets across inspiring vet care are backing Vet Your Prostate, a healthcare initiative that leverages the vet-farmer relationship to help distribute free at-home Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test kits.
The unique relationship between vets and farmers often extends beyond the care of their animals. In many cases, farmers are more likely to raise concerns about their own health with a vet before speaking to their GP.
Farm vets are therefore well placed to encourage farmers to prioritise their own health and signpost them to appropriate help when needed. This trust also presents a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of health issues where early intervention can make a real difference.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men in the UK, and farmers face an increased risk of developing the disease. When caught early the disease is highly treatable, however many farmers experience additional barriers to seeking medical support.
Vet Your Prostate looks to address this gap by using the trusted vet-farmer relationship to encourage conversations about prostate health and improve access to testing.
Paul Horwood, UK Head of Farm, said: “Farmers are at an increased risk of prostate cancer. Long working hours, the demands of running a farm, and the practical challenges of taking time away from livestock can all mean that personal health is pushed to the bottom of the list.
“Farm vets have a unique relationship with farmers. We visit farms regularly, often over many years, building trusted relationships that extend beyond animal health. It isn't unusual for farmers to ask us informal questions about their own health, and while we are not their medical practitioners, we are well placed to encourage conversations about looking after themselves and to signpost them towards appropriate healthcare.
"That's why initiatives such as the VetYourProstate campaign are so valuable. By making free at-home PSA blood testing kits more accessible to eligible farmers, the campaign helps remove some of the barriers that prevent people from getting checked and encourages those who may need further assessment to contact their GP.”
Participating vets receive training to raise awareness of prostate health during on-farm visits. They’ll also be supplied with free at-home PSA test kits to distribute to eligible farmers, making it easier to take the first step before reaching out to a medical professional.
By supporting this campaign, we aim to encourage conversations about men’s health in the farming community, reduce barriers to medical tests, and ultimately enable earlier diagnosis and better treatment outcomes for those with prostate cancer.