Men can be screened for prostate cancer on the High Street for the first time after Superdrug launched a new testing service.
The health and beauty retailer is offering the service for £79 at 80 stores with health clinics across the UK.
The blood test, which tests for levels of prostate-specific antigen PSA, is carried out by a nurse with results available in as little as two days.
Anyone whose results are flagged as a concern will be directed to see their GP for further tests, a spokesman said.
Experts hope the service will boost availability of the tests, which are not routinely offered by doctors.
In line with NHS guidelines, it is not recommended for patients under the age of 50 unless there is a family history of prostate cancer or they are of black ethnicity, both known risk factors.
Niamh McMillan, Superdrug’s Pharmacy Superintendent said: ‘By introducing our new PSA blood test service across our 80 high street health clinics, we hope more men will feel encouraged and comfortable to prioritise their health and get themselves checked.’
The spotlight has been on Olympian Chris Hoy after he urged more younger men to get checked for the disease, which kills 12,000 men in the UK each year.
Anyone whose results are flagged in Superdrug as a concern will be directed to see their GP for further tests, a spokesman said
A major UK trial is underway to test the effectiveness of diagnosis techniques but could take up to a decade to complete
His terminal diagnosis saw the number of visits to the NHS prostate cancer symptoms page increase nearly sevenfold last month.
NHS guidelines for England say anyone can request a PSA test from their GP if they are over the age of 50.
But there is reluctance among some due to what many now say are ‘outdated’ fears over the test’s accuracy, which has led to a postcode lottery in diagnoses and care.
Charities say recent advances in the way prostate cancer is diagnosed in the NHS means it is safer and more accurate than ever.
Patients with elevated PSA levels are sent for a pre-biopsy MRI, followed by a biopsy if the scan shows abnormalities, reducing the risk of false positives and unnecessary testing and treatment.
They are calling for a targeted national screening programme to ‘remove the current onus on men to seek out the tests for themselves’.
A major UK trial is underway to test the effectiveness of diagnosis techniques but could take up to a decade to complete.
Oliver Kemp, chief executive of Prostate Cancer Research said the new service shows an increasing proactivity amongst men when it comes to protecting their prostate health.
NHS guidelines for England say anyone can request a PSA test from their GP if they are over the age of 50
He said: ‘This rising demand for accessible testing has been fuelled by celebrities opening up about their diagnoses, and an increasing awareness of the lifesaving benefits of early disease detection.
‘However, in order to deliver a significant reversal of prostate cancer death rates in the UK, we need to ensure that men, particularly those at the highest risk of the disease, are offered testing as part of a national screening programme.’
Amy Rylance, Assistant Director of Health Improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, questioned its use as anyone with concerns will also have to visit their GP.
She said: ‘It can seem appealing to be able to access PSA testing at your convenience, irrespective of cost.
‘But if your result is raised, you’ll still need to visit your GP to be referred for further tests. Your GP will probably want to repeat the PSA blood test before deciding what to do next.’
