British scientists do not recommend universal prostate cancer screening

Prostate cancer screening should not be available to most men in the UK, the UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) has decided. The decision, which sparked "deep disappointment" from charities and public figures, is based on the assessment that nationwide testing would do more harm than good, the Guardian reports.

Instead, the commission recommended targeted screening for men with confirmed mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. These men are at increased risk of more aggressive forms of prostate cancer and could be tested every two years between the ages of 45 and 61 under the proposal.

Experts warn that while mortality rates would fall slightly with blanket screening, there would be a "very high number of overdiagnoses." Up to half of the cases detected would be slow-growing and non-aggressive, leading to unnecessary treatment and lifelong side effects.

The Commission also did not include black men or men with a family history in the screening process, as the available evidence of their innate predisposition was deemed insufficient.

The move has been criticised by Prostate Cancer UK and Prostate Cancer Research, as well as by figures such as Stephen Fry and Rishi Sunak, who say it is a missed opportunity to protect the most vulnerable. The draft recommendations await a 12-week consultation. A final decision is due in March.

(hal)