A UK government health panel has advised against introducing prostate cancer screening for most men, saying the harms outweigh the benefits. The UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) instead proposes targeted screening only for men with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants, who face a higher risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. These men could be screened every two years between ages 45 and 61.
The committee found that a national screening programme would lead to high levels of overdiagnosis, as many prostate cancers grow slowly and would never cause harm. This could result in unnecessary treatment and side-effects such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Evidence for screening Black men and those with a family history of cancer was considered too limited and uncertain.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among UK men, with one in eight diagnosed in their lifetime. Despite this, the PSA test remains unreliable for screening.
Reactions were mixed: Cancer Research UK and the Royal College of GPs supported the evidence-based decision, while charities such as Prostate Cancer UK and Prostate Cancer Research expressed “deep disappointment,” warning it may worsen health inequalities. Public figures including Stephen Fry, Rishi Sunak, and David Cameron also criticised the recommendation.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he would review the evidence before the final decision in March.
