The UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) has formally advised against implementing routine prostate cancer screening for the majority of men, concluding that the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is "likely to cause more harm than good." This decision, announced on Thursday, follows a thorough review of evidence highlighting significant concerns over overdiagnosis and the potential for severe treatment side effects, including incontinence and erectile dysfunction, in men whose cancers might never have progressed to a life-threatening stage.
Limited Exception for High-Risk Genetic Groups
In a notable departure from the general recommendation, the UKNSC has endorsed targeted screening for men carrying BRCA2 genetic mutations who also have a family history of certain cancers. These individuals are now advised to undergo PSA testing every two years between the ages of 45 and 61. However, the committee stopped short of recommending screening for other groups considered at elevated risk, such as black men and those with BRCA1 mutations, citing either insufficient evidence of benefit or a comparatively lower risk profile.
Mixed Reactions from Cancer Charities
The announcement has drawn sharply contrasting responses from leading cancer organisations. Cancer Research UK expressed support for the evidence-based approach, emphasising that the potential harms of widespread screening currently outweigh the benefits. In contrast, Prostate Cancer UK voiced deep disappointment, arguing that a national mass screening programme could save thousands of lives annually and that the decision overlooks the potential for early detection to improve outcomes. The charity called for further research and investment in more accurate testing methods.
Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer in men in the UK, with around 52,000 new cases diagnosed each year. The UKNSC's recommendation will now be considered by health ministers, who will decide whether to adopt the guidance into national policy.
