A UK government health panel has advised against offering prostate cancer screening to most men, disappointing charities and campaigners. The UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) concluded that the harms—mainly overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment—would outweigh the benefits of screening all men or those with a family history of cancer.
Instead, the committee recommends targeted screening only for men with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants, who face a higher risk of aggressive cancer. These men could be screened every two years between ages 45 and 61.
Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in the UK, but the PSA test used for detection is unreliable. The committee also found insufficient evidence to justify screening Black men, despite their higher risk.
Charities are divided. Cancer Research UK supports the decision, while Prostate Cancer UK and public figures including Stephen Fry, Rishi Sunak, and David Cameron expressed “deep disappointment,” warning that high-risk groups may face delayed diagnoses.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he would review the recommendation thoroughly before a final decision is made in March.
