It’s a “no” to mass screening today – but our vital research will lead the way to routine testing for every man

The UK National Screening Committee has recommended prostate cancer screening only for men with BRCA gene variations – that’s a “no” to screening for the vast majority of men.

Following its long-awaited review, the committee says there isn’t enough evidence to start routine screening for all men at high risk of the disease – including Black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer.

It’s a deeply disappointing decision. And it means prostate cancer remains the only major cancer without a mass screening programme in the UK.

But now is not the time to give up hope. Because we’re more determined than ever to secure a screening programme that gives every man the best chance of an early diagnosis.

“The committee’s decision will come as a blow to the tens of thousands of men, loved ones and families who’ve fought for a screening programme,” said Laura Kerby, our Chief Executive.

“Today we’re deeply disappointed, but we’re as determined as ever. And it won’t slow us down.

“People are sick and tired of seeing the men they love harmed by this disease. And we won’t rest until no man’s diagnosis is left to chance.”

A deeply disappointing decision – but it won’t slow us down

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. More than 63,000 men are diagnosed each year in the UK – and over 12,000 die from the disease.

When you find prostate cancer early, it’s much easier to treat – but most men don’t get symptoms in the early stages. And that’s why screening is so crucial to saving men’s lives.

As the UK’s biggest public funder of prostate cancer research, we’ve driven forward major improvements in the way the disease is diagnosed. Over the last 16 years, we’ve come a long way – and with better MRI scanning and new biopsy techniques, testing is safer and more accurate today than it’s ever been before.

That’s why we submitted evidence to the National Screening Committee that showed routine testing for all men at highest risk – including Black men and those with a family history of prostate cancer – would save lives and help bring an end to shocking inequalities in diagnosis.

Today, the committee has decided we don’t yet have enough evidence that the benefits of screening for all high-risk men would outweigh the possible harms of unnecessary biopsies and treatments.

But it has recommended screening for a specific group of men who have a high risk of prostate cancer due to variations in their BRCA genes. This is an important step forward, which opens the door to the first prostate cancer screening of any kind in the UK and shows we’re moving in the right direction.

TRANSFORM is the key to a screening programme for every man

Now it’s more important than ever that we deliver the critical research that will help us secure screening for many more men. And we won’t stop until we have the evidence we need for a safe, accurate and effective screening programme, inviting all men for routine tests.

Our TRANSFORM trial – the biggest prostate cancer screening study for 20 years – will provide definitive answers to the questions that remain, paving the way to a screening programme for every man.

Spearheaded by six of the world’s leading prostate cancer experts, TRANSFORM will test multiple screening options – including blood tests, fast MRI scans and genetic testing – to find the safest and most accurate method.

Right now, the first men are being invited to take part in the trial – which will start delivering initial results in the next two years. These early findings could be enough to finally make screening a reality for thousands more men and the National Screening Committee has committed to review this vital new evidence as soon as it’s available.

In the meantime, we’ve also committed a further £1 million to invest in ‘real world evidence’ projects, which will provide vital data to help us build an even stronger case for screening Black men.   

“We know that a mass screening programme could save thousands of men’s lives,” added Laura Kerby. “While screening men with BRCA gene variations will only save a fraction of those, the committee’s decision shows that research and evidence can shift the dial and save men’s lives.

“The research programme that could achieve screening for all men is already under way. Our £42 million TRANSFORM trial will bring new evidence back to the committee in just two years.

“If everyone who’s upset with today’s decision joins with us to fund the future of screening, we can get the evidence we need to change it.”

'Screening is our best hope of saving lives for generations to come'

For Ruth Triggs, a screening programme for prostate cancer can’t come soon enough. A Prostate Cancer UK volunteer for more than 10 years, Ruth sadly lost her husband Andrew to the disease. And since then, she’s campaigned tirelessly to help make sure other men understand their risk.

“We’re now so much closer to that screening programme that we desperately need, which will allow men to get diagnosed earlier – and hopefully be treated and cured, without that awful period that my family had,” says Ruth.

“From where we were 10 years ago, when Andrew died, to where we are today – we’ve come so far. But we’re ready to take that next step.

“A screening programme is our best hope of saving lives for generations to come.”

Prostate cancer screening: get the information and support you need

What does the National Screening Committee’s recommendation mean for you? If you have questions about the screening news and you’d like to find out more, we’re here to help.

You can follow the latest developments on prostate cancer screening and find all the information and support you need.

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