Groups concerned by prostate cancer screening move

Campaigners are "disappointed" by a recommendation from health experts that only a small group of men should be screened for prostate cancer.

The UK's National Screening Committee said the harms of screening outweighed the benefits in all other groups and only men who have a dangerous genetic variant and a family history of cancer should be screened with a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test.

Paul Lloyd from the Torbay Prostate Support Association, said evidence for screening was "irrefutable", adding "it's a simple blood test that can save thousands of lives".

Trevor Ching from Cornwall Prostate Support Association, said he was concerned the move could put men off getting checked.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and kills 12,000 people across the UK each year.

A major review by the committee said for every 1,000 men screened in their 50s, it would save two lives from prostate cancer over the next 15 years.

But it would also lead to 20 men being told they have a cancer that would never need treatment. Out of those 20 men, 12 would end up having treatment they don't need which damages the prostate.

Lloyd said his prostate cancer diagnosis followed a PSA test during a standard health check.

Despite no symptoms, Lloyd said the test result "flagged up as red".

"By the time it does present symptoms, one in four cancers will have already spread. That's why it's absolutely essential to get an early indication on it."

Lloyd's prostate was removed as a result of his diagnosis.

He said the association offered free PSA's every six months, which costs the charity £30.

"I suppose, to put that into perspective locally, over the last four years we've tested over three and a half thousand men and statistically we have saved seven men."

Ching was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer after a PSA test in 2021.

Ching said he initially thought he was suffering with a urinary tract infection.

"I went through chemotherapy and since then I have been on hormone therapy and I'm likely to be on it for the rest of my life," he said.

Ching said he was concerned the committee's review could put men off from getting checked. He urged them to get a PSA test.

"If the doctor says no, you can insist on it," he added. "Have the PSA test, and if the results come back positive, you're not alone."

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