A prostate cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming – for patients and families alike. That’s why tools like MySunrise are making such a difference across Cornwall.
Developed by NHS cancer teams, MySunrise is a free app that puts expert advice, personalised information, and local support right at patients’ fingertips.Whether you’ve just been diagnosed, are starting treatment, or managing life after cancer, it’s there to guide you through every step of the journey.
In Cornwall, where rates of prostate cancer are higher than average—and where a quarter of cases are still diagnosed at a later stage—giving patients quick, trusted access to information and services can be life-changing.
In 2022, almost 800men in Cornwall were registered with prostate cancer—one of the highest rates in the South West. The local diagnosis rate is around 232per 100,000 men, compared with a national average of around 200.
Alarmingly, around 25% of prostate cancer cases in Cornwall are detected when the cancer is already advanced—compared with 17% across England.
With early diagnosis and timely treatment offering the best outcomes, MySunrise helps by encouraging men to stay informed and engaged in their own care.
The app provides clear, simple information about what prostate cancer is, how it’s diagnosed, and what to expect at appointments. It guides users through tests such as PSA blood tests, scans, and biopsies—and explains the treatment options, from active surveillance and surgery to radiotherapy, drug therapies, and newer treatments like genomics.
Importantly, MySunrise offers content designed specifically for prostate cancer patients, including advice on preparing for treatment, managing side effects, and coping with common challenges like fatigue or changes in sexual function.
There’s also help for life after treatment, with guidance on supported self-management, remote monitoring, and when to contact your team if you have concerns. Patients can access local support group information, get information about follow-up care, and contact their NHS team easily through the app.
Since launching in Cornwall, MySunrise has proved incredibly popular with patients and staff. It saves time for clinical teams and 92% of patients say they find the app easy to use. More importantly,75% say it helps them feel more reassured at a time when they need it most.
As one Royal Cornwall Hospital patient put it:
“It’s simple and easy to navigate, with links to further information, websites and videos.”
Another patient from the wider South West area said:
“This is a great app to go alongside the Macmillan apps … it will arm you with tools and knowledge so you know what to expect.”
If you or someone you know is living with prostate cancer in Cornwall, the MySunrise app can really help. It’s free to download, easy to use, and tailored to the services at your local NHS Cancer Centre.
Visit www.mysunrise.co.uk for more details and to download the app from the AppStore or Google Play.
Taking control of your cancer journey starts here—with the right information, at the right time, in the palm of your hand.
