Prostate Cancer: Screening
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of disparities in access to prostate cancer testing among different socioeconomic groups.
Answered by Ashley Dalton
The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), which advises ministers on all screening matters, does not currently recommend population screening for prostate cancer. As such, England does not have a national screening programme.
As part of its commitment to review its recommendations, the UK NSC commissioned an evidence review for prostate cancer screening, to cover modelling the clinical effectiveness and cost of several approaches to prostate cancer screening. It includes different potential ways of screening the whole population and targeted screening aimed at groups of people identified as being at higher-than-average risk, such as black men or men with a family history of cancer.
The modelling and evidence review is now complete, and it is being considered by the UK NSC and experts. Subject to no further revisions being required, the UK NSC plans to hold a public consultation towards the end of 2025. After this the UK NSC will make a recommendation. Ministers will then be asked to consider whether to accept the recommendation.
NHS England is engaged in initial discussions regarding prostate cancer screening costs and feasibility, and as any recommendations from the UK NSC evidence review take shape, these discussions will continue.
Ministers are cognisant of the fact that a clearly defined and quality assured screening programme, whether population wide or to specific targeted high-risk groups, would avoid some of the health inequities associated with more ad hoc testing currently being carried out via general practitioners and other organisations.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →