We won't stop until we have a screening programme for all men
When it comes to prostate cancer, early diagnosis is crucial. Because when you find it early, it's much easier to treat. That's why a screening programme is so important. It's a way of checking men early – to find cancer before symptoms show up.
The Government has approved the UK National Screening Committee’s recommendation to screen men with BRCA 2 gene variations as well as a family history of the disease, as these men have a higher genetic risk of prostate cancer, and are more likely to get an aggressive form of the disease.
This is a step in the right direction, and we look forward to working together with the Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS to make sure the screening programme is developed in a way that has the greatest benefit for men.
But it's still only a few thousand men – a tiny fraction of the men we need to save. We’re deeply disappointed that the evidence isn’t yet strong enough for a mass screening programme. We can’t allow those at highest risk – including Black men and men with a family history of the disease – to be left behind.
We won't stop until we have a screening programme for all men. That's why we need your help to fund research like our TRANSFORM trial, to find the safest and most accurate way to test for prostate cancer and pave the way to a much bigger screening programme that saves thousands of lives. Please donate today.
We can't let men at highest risk be left behind
We’ve driven the major research breakthroughs and campaigned for the important changes that have led us to this critical point on prostate cancer screening. Thanks to groundbreaking improvements like MRI scanning and better biopsy techniques, diagnosing prostate cancer is safer and more accurate today than ever before.
The committee were clear that Black men may benefit more from screening than other men, but gaps and uncertainties in the data meant that they were unable to recommend screening for these men.
That’s why the government’s decision to back TRANSFORM with an additional investment of up to £18 million to expand our study is so important– it will invite every eligible Black man in the UK to take part in the trial from stage 2, to build that evidence needed to support screening. This will also make TRANSFORM the most diverse prostate cancer screening trial ever undertaken in the UK.
And while it’s deeply disappointing the committee has said ‘no’ to screening for the vast majority of men at high risk of prostate cancer, there’s a clear road ahead – our TRANSFORM trial will lead the way to a safe, accurate and effective screening programme for all men.
Beyond TRANSFORM, we’re also using real-world data to fill critical evidence gaps and understand if targeted screening for Black men, who face double the risk of dying from prostate cancer, would save lives and address shocking inequities in diagnosis.
Our researchers will deliver these findings within a year. And as soon as that evidence is ready, we’ll be calling on the committee to reassess their recommendation for Black men – because no men should have to wait for lifesaving progress when the data exists to move things forward.
Three steps to start saving men’s lives today
We can’t stand still and let thousands of men miss their chance for an early diagnosis.
Every man needs to know his risk right now, so he can make a choice about whether to have a simple PSA blood test to check for early warning signs of prostate cancer.
That’s why we want the Government to act now on early detection – so we can start saving men’s lives today.
While we continue to fund the vital research that will pave the way to a much larger screening programme, the Government must act now on early detection. Here are three things we’re asking:
- Overhaul outdated NHS guidelines
- Fund a nationwide public awareness campaign
- Replace confusing NHS health information with our simple online Risk Checker.
Prostate cancer screening: your questions answered
We’ve answered some of the big questions around prostate cancer screening, including:
Who will be invited for prostate cancer screening?
Men with variations in their BRCA2 genes, who are at higher risk of prostate cancer.
What are BRCA gene variations?
We all have BRCA genes, but for a small number of people, these genes contain changes that cause them to stop working properly. Research suggests that men who have BRCA gene variations are at higher risk of getting prostate cancer. Your GP will be able to discuss your risk of prostate cancer with you, and they may refer you for a test to see if you have these genetic variations.
How soon could there be a prostate cancer screening programme?
Rolling out the UK’s first prostate cancer screening programme will take time. In the meantime, we can’t stand still and wait. Find out how you can help save lives on the road to a screening programme.
Sign up to our mailing list today to get the latest news and updates on prostate cancer screening, as well as our latest research and campaigns, delivered straight to your inbox.
Find out more
A deeply disappointing decision – but it won’t slow us down
Today the UK National Screening Committee has said ‘no’ to prostate cancer screening for the vast majority of men. But we won’t give up. We’re on the right path to secure routine testing for every man – and our research trial could soon deliver the vital evidence we need.
Clinical experts stand together with us on early detection
Together, we’re sending a message: that without a screening programme for all men, GP guidance must be updated so they can talk to men about the option of having a PSA blood test to check for early warning signs of prostate cancer.
How TRANSFORM will lead the way to a screening programme for all men
Thanks to TRANSFORM, our groundbreaking research trial, we’ll be getting the crucial remaining evidence over the next few years, to lead the way to a screening programme.
‘Black men can’t wait any longer’: thousands sign letter calling for change to NHS guidelines
Right now, our health system is failing Black men – but there’s a simple solution. It’s about time the Government took urgent action to overhaul outdated NHS guidelines, so GPs can start potentially lifesaving conversations with men at highest risk of prostate cancer.
