BREAKING NEWS
NSC recommendation on prostate cancer screening: What health professionals need to know
NSC recommends TARGETED prostate cancer screening for men with BRCA gene variations
The UK National Screening Committee (NSC) has today announced its support for a targeted prostate cancer screening programme specifically for men with BRCA gene variations.
While this marks progress towards earlier detection for some men at increased inherited genetic risk, it is disappointing that the NSC has not recommended screening for a wider group of men at higher risk, including Black men and those with a family history of prostate cancer. Our evidence submission highlighted that targeted screening for Black men could reduce long-standing inequities in diagnosis and outcomes, but the committee has determined there is insufficient evidence to take this forward at this stage.
There are no immediate changes for clinical practice. Implementing a national screening pathway for BRCA carriers is expected to take several years. During this time, it remains essential that men at higher risk (Black men, men with a family history and men with BRCA gene variations over 45, men over 50) are not missing opportunities for early diagnosis. Health professionals across primary and secondary care continue to play a vital role, from supporting men to understand their risk and make informed choices about PSA testing, to delivering timely diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care.
Further evidence will be critical to determining whether screening can be safely and effectively expanded to additional groups of men at risk. Over the next few years, our £42 million TRANSFORM trial will produce the evidence needed to inform future NSC recommendations and help ensure that more men have the best possible chance of a potentially lifesaving early diagnosis.
We are grateful to clinicians and health professionals whose expertise and collaboration continue to drive improvements in early detection. Your ongoing commitment will be essential as we work together to strengthen the evidence base and support men at risk.
As a GP I’ve had far too many conversations with men who didn’t know they were at risk of prostate cancer, who didn’t know how to get a blood test to check for early warning signs, who didn’t know an early diagnosis could save their life. My hope is that, for men in the future, it’s a very different story. Where men are not only made aware when they’re at risk, but that an effective nationwide screening programme makes sure they’re invited for routine tests in time to make a real difference.
What happens next
- Read our statement below, co-signed by the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS), Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, the British Association of Urological Nurses (BAUN) and other key stakeholders.
- Our data and evidence team are reviewing the NSC’s recommendation and the evidence behind it. We’ll share a detailed analysis soon.
We want to hear from you
Use this form to share any feedback, questions, or concerns regarding the NSC screening recommendation to help us understand how best to support you.
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