More than 120 Members of Parliament, including former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, have united in a significant call for a nationwide prostate cancer screening programme. This plea was hand-delivered to Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, marking a pivotal moment in the campaign to address prostate cancer, which remains the most prevalent cancer in the UK.
The letter emphasizes that the United Kingdom has the potential to become a global leader in preventing unnecessary deaths from prostate cancer. It warns that without the implementation of targeted routine checks, the country risks falling behind other nations that have established such programmes. Currently, prostate cancer accounts for approximately 63,000 new cases and leads to 12,000 deaths annually in the UK. Unlike existing screening initiatives for breast, bowel, and lung cancers, there is no national screening protocol for prostate cancer.
The UK National Screening Committee is scheduled to convene on November 24, 2025, to review recent advancements in prostate cancer diagnosis. Their recommendations will be critical in determining the future of screening protocols for this disease.
The campaign, supported by the Daily Mail, advocates for an initial focus on high-risk groups, specifically men of African descent, those with a family history of prostate cancer, or individuals possessing certain genetic markers. The MPs’ letter articulates a shared belief that no man should succumb to prostate cancer due to disparities in healthcare access based on location or demographics.
In their correspondence, the MPs state, “This week, the UK National Screening Committee meets to decide on prostate cancer screening. This is a defining moment for men’s health.” They present compelling evidence that the historical arguments against screening, primarily concerns about cost and over-diagnosis, are now outdated. A recent study indicated that screening reduces the mortality risk from prostate cancer by 13 percent, equating to one life saved for every 456 men screened, comparable to established screening programmes for other cancers.
Innovative MRI techniques have significantly mitigated the risks associated with screening, reducing unnecessary biopsies by 79 percent. Financially, the implementation of a targeted screening programme could cost the NHS as little as £18 per man invited for checks. In contrast, the treatment costs for late-stage cancer can soar to £127,000 per patient, while early-stage treatment averages just £13,000.
The MPs pointed out that contemporary diagnostic pathways have vastly improved safety and are substantially different from those considered by the National Screening Committee during past evaluations. Currently, men undergo an MRI before any biopsy is performed, and advancements allow for the identification and monitoring of low-grade cancers without invasive procedures.
Last week, the first group of men in the UK was invited to participate in a groundbreaking prostate cancer trial aimed at determining the most effective combination of tests and scans for early detection of the disease. Notably, former Prime Minister David Cameron, who has received treatment for prostate cancer, has openly endorsed the campaign for a targeted screening initiative.
The letter, coordinated by Prostate Cancer Research and signed by 125 MPs, urges immediate action, cautioning that delays in decision-making would result in continued, preventable deaths among men. It states, “Harms that once justified inaction have largely been engineered out. These advances mean we now have the tools to deliver screening safely and effectively…waiting would entrench inequality and allow preventable deaths. Evidence is strong enough to act now.”
In response, Sunak reiterated the urgency of the situation, stating, “The evidence is now clear. Modern diagnosis is safer, more accurate, and has removed the harms that once justified inaction.” He emphasized that thousands of men are still being diagnosed too late, making a strong case for the establishment of a targeted screening programme for high-risk populations.
The UK National Screening Committee will review the latest evidence regarding prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment before issuing a draft recommendation for public consultation. The committee is comprised of leading experts in the field, including Professor Mike Richards, who chairs the committee, and other prominent figures from various health backgrounds.
As the debate intensifies, representatives such as Labour MP Calvin Bailey and Liberal Democrat MP Helen Morgan have stressed the need for change. Bailey remarked on the growing inequalities faced by high-risk men, many of whom are turned away from testing until it is too late. Morgan highlighted the inconsistency in the UK’s health strategy, pointing out, “We already have successful screening programmes for breast and bowel cancer, yet catching the most common cancer in men is left to chance. This is a glaring gap in our prevention-first health strategy.”
Oliver Kemp, chief executive of Prostate Cancer Research, added, “It is time to stop hiding behind outdated arguments. If the UK delays again, we are choosing to fall behind and fail another generation of men.”
As the National Screening Committee prepares for its critical meeting, the future of prostate cancer screening in the UK hangs in the balance, with the potential to significantly alter the landscape of men’s health.
