The UK risks falling further behind Europe on prostate cancer survival rates without the introduction of a national screening programme, a leading surgeon has warned - as new data shows early detection could significantly improve outcomes.

New research has found clear evidence that a national prostate cancer screening programme, run along the same model as breast and bowel cancer screening—would save lives and improve quality of life by detecting the disease at an earlier, more treatable stage.

Prof Chris Booth, Medical Director of men’s health charity CHAPS, revealed that a screening programme run by the charity between 2022 and 2025 identified 183 men with prostate cancer who may otherwise not have been diagnosed.

That equates to one man a week being diagnosed and placed on a treatment pathway during the trial who may otherwise have been missed.

The programme screened 12,857 men, aged 40-80 years, regardless of symptoms, using the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test as the first step.

Of the 11,844 with normal results, 3,428 men (26.7%) were classed as high risk, 2,077 (16.1%) as medium risk and 5,975 (46.5%) as low risk.

So far of the 972 (7.6%) with abnormal results. 183 (1.4%) cancers have been detected, 80% requiring radical treatment.
Speaking at the 2nd National Conference on Prostate Cancer Screening in London, Prof Booth said the findings highlight “a clear and urgent need for a national screening programme to detect prostate cancer at an earlier stage when it is more treatable.”

“Most of the men who took part in our trial were asymptomatic, so without a screening programme like this they would not have known they had an abnormal result requiring further investigation—or gained the peace of mind that their results were normal,” he said.

Prof Booth, who is campaigning for prostate cancer to be given parity with breast cancer, said action is now overdue.
“How much trial evidence do we need before someone in this country takes notice? We don’t need more trials, we need action to deliver a national screening programme like there is for breast cancer.

“We need to carry out PSA tests on 293 men to prevent one cancer death.

“Comparatively, 337 women aged 60–69 and 1,339 aged 50–59 need to be screened to achieve the same outcome.
“There is, rightly, a national screening programme for breast cancer. The question is why we do not have the same for prostate cancer.

“We are not over-diagnosing men through these screening programmes, but we are identifying significant numbers with curable disease. That means catching it earlier, reducing the risk of it spreading and ultimately saving lives.”

Around 63,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed each year in the UK, resulting in 13,000 deaths annually. Of those, 49% are diagnosed at a late stage (stage 3 or 4). Which is why we have such a high mortality rate!

The NHS has set a target for 75% of cancers to be diagnosed at stage 1 or 2 by 2028, unachievable without a screening programme

“Right now, the UK is in the relegation zone of the European mortality league, to put it in footballing terms,” Prof Booth added.

“We’re down at 23 out of 31, but until we get a screening programme, we haven’t got a cat in hell’s chance of promotion.”

The call for action has also gained political backing.

Shadow Communities Secretary Sir James Cleverly, who has taken a PSA test himself after becoming aware of increased risk factors, said early detection must be prioritised.

Speaking at the conference he said: “We know that early treatment not only saves lives but can completely change how men live their lives. That’s why I’ve called for a major expansion of screening.

“There are debates to be had about false positives, costs and delivery, but these are conversations worth having.

“A more targeted and expanded screening programme, particularly for those with a family history of prostate cancer, within the key age groups and among higher-risk ethnic communities, is an absolute no-brainer.

“I will continue to champion this and support the work being done to make it happen.”

Earlier this week, Sir James said he would push for a national prostate cancer screening programme to be included in the Conservative Party’s next general election manifesto.

“The evidence is there. The need is clear. A national screening programme would save lives and reduce pressure on the NHS by catching the disease earlier, when treatment is less complex and less costly,” he said.

“The Government should be expanding access to PSA testing, improving GP referral rates and invest in the infrastructure needed to support a national programme. Every year of delay costs lives.”

For more information about CHAPS visit https://chaps.uk.com/about-us