GPs overwhelmingly support the Mail’s campaign for a national prostate cancer screening programme, a landmark poll reveals today.
A near unanimous 94 per cent agree that the government should rollout the life-saving checks, initially targeted at high-risk men.
They join prostate cancer charities and former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in arguing the move could save money and prevent needless deaths.
Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed form of cancer in England, with 55,033 cases identified in 2023, the latest figures show.
Catching it early improves the odds of successfully treating the disease, which kills around 10,200 men in England each year.
The NHS already offers national screening programmes for breast, bowel and cervical cancers – but not for prostate cancer.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer last night praised the Mail for ‘shining a light’ on the need to improve outcomes for men affected by the disease.
Analysis by the charity Prostate Cancer Research suggests targeted screening would lead to an extra 775 cases being diagnosed early each year among high-risk men aged 45 to 69.
Mr Sunak told the House of Commons February that he would like to see the Committee back the rollout of a national screening programme for prostate cancer
This includes those who are black, have a family history of the disease, or have a particular genetic mutation.
It would spare almost 300 men a year from a stage 4 diagnosis, when the tumour has spread around the body, making it incurable.
And there could be a net economic benefit of £11,900 for every man diagnosed, the study found.
The new survey, conducted by One Poll, found 93 per cent of the 400 GPs questioned believe a screening programme for prostate cancer would improve diagnosis rates and patient outcomes.
A similar number (94 per cent) believe recent developments in diagnostic processes have reduced the risk of over-diagnosing the disease, which has previously hampered support.
This is because men are now offered an MRI scan in addition to a PSA blood test, reducing the number who need invasive biopsies.
Formula One boss Eddie Jordan, Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman and BBC News presenter Bill Turnbull are among those to have died from prostate cancer in recent years.
Meanwhile, Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, comedian Sir Stephen Fry and chef Ken Hom have spoken about their diagnosis to raise awareness of the disease.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised the Mail for ‘shining a light’ on the need to improve outcomes for men affected by prostate cancer
The UK National Screening Committee, which advises the government on which screening programmes to offer, is currently reviewing evidence into the benefits of prostate cancer screening for high-risk men and is due to make a recommendation later this year.
Mr Sunak told the House of Commons in February that he would like to see the Committee back the rollout, saying: ‘We can not only save the NHS money, make progress towards the Government’s early diagnosis targets but most crucially save thousands of lives.’
Currently, men are tested if they approach their GP with potential symptoms, by which time the disease may be in the later stages when it is more difficult to treat.
The poll also highlights the need for better training for GPs, with 62 per cent unaware of one or more of the major prostate cancer risk factors.
When asked to identify which groups of men are at the highest risk, just 38 per cent correctly identified black men and 53 per cent correctly identified men with a close family history.
Dr Chris Langley, a GP practising in Henley, whose surgery has been proactively reaching out to high-risk patients for the past two years, said: ‘The clear health inequality in prostate cancer outcomes requires action.
‘This survey demonstrates that GPs across the UK are ready to embrace a targeted screening programme to address this unacceptable disparity.
‘Yet, the findings also highlight gaps in awareness of key risk factors, reinforcing the need for clearer national guidelines.
‘We know that men from high-risk groups, particularly black men and those with family history, are disproportionately affected by this disease and face worse outcomes.
‘As GPs, we have a responsibility to advocate for equal access to healthcare and early cancer diagnosis.
‘I strongly encourage my GP colleagues to add their voice to the call for a national targeted screening programme and help us save lives and reduce health inequality within our communities.’
Sir Keir said: ‘Too many of us will sadly know someone affected by prostate cancer.
‘As the most common cancer in men in the UK, the Mail is absolutely right to shine a light on this vital issue.
‘There’s lots to do but I’m determined to improve care and treatment for prostate cancer across the country.
‘That means catching it quickly and treating it faster.
‘That’s why through our Plan for Change we’re driving down waiting lists to speed up treatment. Boosting research into better detection. And bringing forward a first of a kind strategy to tackle the biggest men’s health issues.’
GPs overwhelmingly support the Mail’s campaign for a national prostate cancer screening programme, a landmark poll reveals today
David James, director of patient projects and influencing at Prostate Cancer Research, which commissioned the survey, said: ‘GPs are on the frontline of men’s health, and their overwhelming support for a targeted prostate cancer screening programme sends a clear message: the status quo isn’t working.
‘While GPs back change, our findings also highlight gaps in awareness around key risk factors like family history and being black — which reinforces the urgent need for a national screening programme.
‘At Prostate Cancer Research, we’re heartened that GPs recognise the potential for earlier diagnosis and better survival.
‘This is about delivering better outcomes, reducing suffering, and ensuring no man is held back by his background or his genetic predisposition.’
Dr Michael Mulholland, honorary secretary of the Royal College of GPs, said ‘The results of this survey clearly show that GPs want the best for their patients.
‘It’s important that both patients and healthcare professionals have accessible information about prostate cancer – including about risk factors and symptoms, and the risks and benefits of testing – so that they can make the decisions that are best for them.
‘Cancer screening programmes have potentially saved millions of lives, but screening does not come without risk, so it’s vital that any screening programme is evidence based and reliable.’
Professor Peter Johnson, national clinical director for cancer at NHS England, said: ‘Thanks to well known men talking about their diagnosis and the hard work of our staff, the NHS is diagnosing more men with prostate cancer at an earlier stage than ever before, so that if they need treatment it has the best chance of success.
Sir Chris Hoy and his wife Lady Sarra Kemp Hoy
‘The NHS is also improving the diagnosis of prostate cancer by using hi-tech mpMRI scans, which means many men can avoid the need for a time consuming and invasive biopsy, so I encourage men to get checked out, if they have any concerns around their health.’
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘It is vital that any screening programme is backed by science and decisions to implement are led by doctors.
‘The UK National Screening Committee is reviewing evidence for prostate cancer screening, including targeted approaches for men at higher risk, and the department is investing £16 million into research to catch prostate cancer as early as possible.
‘Prostate cancer patients are waiting too long for diagnosis and treatment but through our National Cancer Plan we will transform the way we treat cancer, improving research, diagnosis, screening, treatment and prevention.’
