A government health panel has advised against prostate cancer screening for most UK men, saying the risks of overdiagnosis outweigh the benefits. Instead, the UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) recommends screening only for men with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants, who could be tested every two years between ages 45 and 61.
The committee found that widespread screening—whether for all men, those with a family history, or Black men—could slightly reduce deaths but would lead to large numbers of unnecessary diagnoses and treatments. Evidence for targeting Black men, who face higher risk, was deemed too limited.
Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in the UK, with 55,300 annual cases. The PSA test used for screening is unreliable and often detects slow-growing cancers that never cause harm, potentially resulting in serious side-effects from unnecessary treatment.
Only a few thousand men are expected to qualify for the proposed BRCA-based screening due to the rarity of the mutation.
Reactions are mixed: Cancer Research UK and the Royal College of GPs support the evidence-based decision, while Prostate Cancer UK, Prostate Cancer Research, and public figures including Stephen Fry, Rishi Sunak, and David Cameron expressed “deep disappointment.” They argue that excluding high-risk groups could worsen health inequalities.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he will review the evidence before a final recommendation is made in March.
