RE: NHS6 Nov 2024 14:58
Talk about conflicting advice, even from the so called experts
NHS to review prostate cancer testing after Chris Hoy call for change
PSA tests are not routinely offered to men under 50 without symptoms but who may be at risk. Doctors are instead told to use their judgement.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting told the BBC that Sir Chris makes a powerful argument. "That's why I've asked the NHS to look at the case for lowering the age."
"It's obviously got to be evidence-led, clinically-led decisions," he said.
Routine PSA testing or screening is not offered on the NHS, because experts say the test is not accurate enough on its own to rule in or out cancer reliably. Doctors are looking at whether adding in MRI scans to PSA tests might improve the situation.
The charity Prostate Cancer UK backs the call, saying doing more checks could potentially save thousands of lives each year.
Spokeswoman Chiara De Biase said: "One in eight men will get prostate cancer, but there's currently no screening programme for the disease.
"If your dad or brother has had prostate cancer, or you're black, you have the highest risk of getting the disease, and we strongly recommend you talk to your GP about testing from 45.
"Right now, you need to be aware of this and bring it up with a GP yourself. As prostate cancer often has no symptoms in its earlier stages this is leading to too many men getting a late, incurable diagnosis - like Sir Chris."
Cancer Research UK says the evidence so far suggests that routinely screening people using PSA would not greatly help prevent deaths, external and might instead lead to men having unnecessary treatment that could cause undue stress and potential side effects.
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