Ministers could overrule the decision to reject a mass prostate cancer screening programme that campaigners warn could 'condemn thousands to death'. Torsten Bell, the pensions minister, stated he would not rule out overturning the recommendation, which has been branded a 'profound disappointment' by advocates.
Mr Bell clarified that the final decision rests with new Health Secretary James Murray, who is scheduled to meet with advisers next week to discuss the announcement. When asked by LBC if the recommendation could be overruled, Mr Bell responded: 'I'm not going to prejudge the decision of the Health Secretary, that's for him to do after he's met with the chair of the national screening committee. I'm certainly not ruling it out, because that's a decision for the Health Secretary.'
He also disclosed that a member of his family had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is currently undergoing treatment, emphasising that the Government is taking the issue 'very seriously'.
Campaigners erupted in fury earlier this week after government advisers rejected calls for a major screening programme, labelling it 'a real step back'. They argue that the decision condemns thousands of men to an avoidable death, especially after it emerged that only a few thousand men will be invited for checks.
The Daily Mail is among those campaigning for a national screening programme to end needless prostate cancer deaths. Mr Bell's comments offer hope that Mr Murray will overrule the decision when he meets the chair of the national screening committee next week. The power rests with ministers to overturn the recommendation to scale back plans for nationwide rollout.
On Thursday, the screening committee published its final recommendation, which states that only men aged 45-61 with BRCA2 gene mutations and a family history of certain cancers should qualify. This means as few as 3,000 men will be invited for screening—a dramatic reduction from draft guidance last year that would have tested 30,000 men. The committee argued that widening screening could lead to over-diagnosis and over-treatment, potentially causing other problems.
Mr Murray will meet the chairman of the UK National Screening Committee on Monday before deciding whether to follow its recommendation or overrule it. The Department of Health stated that he 'will give full and careful consideration to the recommendation' and will update on the Government's response shortly. It had been understood that he was likely to follow the committee's advice but commit to monitoring emerging evidence.
Following an outcry on Thursday—including from former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who campaigns on the issue—Mr Bell suggested the Government could reverse course. Mr Sunak branded the decision 'deeply disappointing', joined by fellow former Prime Minister David Cameron, who has been treated for prostate cancer. Comedian Sir Stephen Fry and Olympian Sir Chris Hoy, both of whom have battled the disease, also supported calls for a national screening programme.
Last year, a major study demonstrated that prostate screening reduces the risk of dying from the disease by 13 per cent, with one death prevented for every 456 men checked—a figure comparable to existing breast and bowel cancer screening programmes.
