To better curb the increasing rate of prostate cancer among men, Wes Streeting, the UK Health Secretary, has shown his support for a national prostate cancer screening programme, acknowledging its importance.
Describing his sympathetic stance towards the argument centred around men getting screened, he noted the urgent need to offer tests due to the risk to high-risk men.
Those who have a history of prostate cancer, including Black men, will not be left out.
The Health Secretary gave his support following a landmark poll which showed 94 per cent of GPs back the Mail’s campaign, with an initial target on high-risk men.
A study by Prostate Cancer Research revealed that undergoing tests could help diagnose about 775 cases early each year among men aged 45 to 69.
In 2023, a report disclosed that about 55,033 cases of prostate cancer were identified, making it the most common form in England.
Early diagnosis is said to improve the chances of being cured, with the number of deaths at 10,200 men in England yearly, says Daily Mail.
The UK National Screening Committee is currently reviewing new developments in prostate cancer screening, with findings expected to be reported later this year.
Unlike breast, bowel, and cervical cancer, there is currently no national screening programme for prostate cancer, despite it being one of the most common cancers among men in the UK.
Calls for a national screening programme have intensified following the deaths of high-profile figures such as Formula One boss Eddie Jordan, Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman, and BBC News presenter Bill Turnbull from the disease.
Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, comedian Sir Stephen Fry, and chef Ken Hom have also publicly shared their diagnoses in an effort to raise awareness.
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Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged the growing pressure, stating, “The National Screening Committee is looking at this as we speak. I am, as you know, sympathetic to the arguments being made by Chris Hoy and I’m particularly sympathetic to the arguments that are being made about the need for screening for those men who are more susceptible to the risk of of this type of cancer.
So as soon as I’m able to report back, I promise I will come on and report back to you and your viewers, hopefully with good news.”
LBC radio presenter Nick Ferrari also joined the conversation, revealing on air that he had recently undergone testing and was given the all-clear.
In response, Mr Streeting praised The Mail’s ongoing campaign to raise awareness, emphasizing the importance of early detection and breaking the stigma around men discussing their health.
“This is a really important campaign,” Streeting said. “Awareness is important, and and making sure that people do go and get checked is important – if there are any worrying signs or symptoms, that people go and get checked and don’t feel awkward about talking about it, which is why what you’ve just said, Nick, is really important.
There shouldn’t be a taboo around this any more than there should be a taboo around issues like breast cancer or anything else, frankly.
And secondly, there is a big campaign running at the moment for better cancer screening, and the National Screening Committee is looking very carefully at this at the moment.”
The discussion comes as shocking new figures reveal a troubling postcode lottery in prostate cancer care across the NHS.
In January, hospitals in England met the target of diagnosing and starting treatment within 62 days in only 67 per cent of cases.
That month alone, 1,559 men began treatment late, and 435 of them waited more than 104 days—well past the point when a clinical review should be triggered.
Prostate cancer charities have condemned the variation in care, calling it “unacceptable” and warning that delays not only cause significant anxiety but also allow the cancer more time to spread, reducing chances of survival.
