Wes Streeting’s order to review prostate cancer screening guidance could not come at a more important time (Report, 5 November). Prostate cancer is the second-most deadly cancer among men. High-risk groups, including those with a family history and black men, are twice as likely to die from it. The existing “informed choice” system, which requires men to request testing, is failing. As a result, too many are being diagnosed late – as Chris Hoy was – which drastically reduces their chances of survival.
A screening programme for high-risk groups could reverse the rise in late-stage diagnoses and deaths. We also have data to prove that, for these groups, the advantages of screening and subsequent treatment outweigh the risks of overtreatment by a factor of four. A national screening programme would move the UK from being one of the worst performers on prostate cancer in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to one of the best.
On 14 November, Prostate Cancer Research will host an event at the House of Commons attended by parliamentarians, healthcare professionals, celebrity supporters and the patient community. We will unveil new data on the economic and health advantages of implementing a national screening programme for high-risk groups. We urge the National Screening Committee and the government to prioritise this life-saving initiative.
More than 12,000 men lose their lives to this disease each year and cases are on the rise. We owe it to all men and their families to implement a screening programme without delay.
Oliver Kemp
CEO, Prostate Cancer Research
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