Public demands end to prostate cancer postcode lottery as national campaign launches

Over 135,000 people have signed a petition demanding urgent action from the UK Government to prioritise a national screening programme for prostate cancer

This comes as charity Prostate Cancer Research launch a national campaign, calling for a screening programme which could improve survival rates and quality of life for men in the UK

The ‘Proactive For Your Prostate’ campaign is pushing for recent advancements in prostate cancer diagnosis to be utilised at a national level – essential in tackling male health inequity

London, 27 August 2024 – Over 135,000 people have signed a petition, delivered to Downing Street today by the charity Prostate Cancer Research (PCR), demanding urgent action from the UK Government to implement a national screening programme for prostate cancer. This significant public outcry coincides with the launch of PCR’s new campaign, Proactive For Your Prostate, aimed at addressing the stark inequities in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment across the country.

Currently, men in the UK face a postcode lottery when it comes to early diagnosis of prostate cancer, with unacceptable disparities in access to screening and treatment. In place of a universal screening programme, such as exists for breast and colon cancer, there is currently an ‘informed choice’ programme. While a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test is available upon request for men over 50, this reactive approach relies heavily on individual awareness and proactivity, with no guarantee of receiving the test, leaving many at-risk men undiagnosed. Disparities are most evident amongst Black men, who are more than twice as likely to die of this disease than men of other ethnicities.

Alfred, a 54-year-old man of African-Caribbean heritage, shared his story: “When I was diagnosed, my cancer was already at a metastatic stage, where survival rate plummets to only 50% from almost 100% at stage 1. I wasn’t aware that I was at higher risk and did not know much about prostate cancer. If there had been a screening programme for men at risk, my cancer might have been caught earlier.”

Proactive For Your Prostate is a national campaign launched by PCR to address the inequities in prostate cancer diagnosis across the UK. The campaign advocates for the implementation of a national screening programme, leveraging the latest advancements in prostate cancer diagnosis to ensure early detection and better outcomes for all men, regardless of their location. By raising awareness and pushing for policy changes, the campaign aims to eliminate the postcode lottery and provide equal access to life-saving screenings.

“Early detection is our most powerful weapon against prostate cancer, yet we’re failing to implement effective screening across the UK,” said Oliver Kemp, CEO of Prostate Cancer Research. “The current approach isn’t just inefficient, it’s unjust. We’re calling on the UK National Screening Committee and the Government to take advantage of recent technological advancements to rectify this.”

While there have previously been concerns around the potential for overdiagnosis and overtreatment using a screening programme based on PSA testing alone, the latest evidence shows these risks are diminishing due to recent changes in clinical practice. With over 135,000 members of the public supporting the petition, Prostate Cancer Research are not alone – action is needed now.

Professor Mike Kirby, associate member of the British Association of Urological Surgeons, a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and current editor of Trends in Urology & Men’s Health added, “Too many times have I seen the impact of late-stage prostate cancer diagnoses. We need a more proactive approach to screening, especially for high-risk groups. While we must be mindful of overdiagnosis, changes to clinical practice have decreased the number of men overtreated and provides clear guidelines ensuring more consistent care across the country.”

About prostate cancer

Prostate cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the UK, responsible for 14% of all male cancer deaths. 1 in 8 white men, 1 in 4 Black men and 1 in 13 men of other ethnicities will face a prostate cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. Older men, those with a family history of the disease, and individuals in deprived areas are at even greater risk.

About the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test

The PSA test is a simple blood test used to measure the level of PSA, a protein produced by prostate cells, in the blood. To perform the test, a blood sample is taken at a GP surgery and sent to a laboratory for analysis. While a raised PSA level can indicate prostate issues, it’s not specific to cancer and can be affected by various factors such as age, exercise, and certain medications. Therefore, the PSA test is often just the first step in determining if further investigation is needed.

About Prostate Cancer Research (PCR)

Prostate Cancer Research is dedicated to funding innovative research to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of prostate cancer. Our mission is to ensure that every man diagnosed with prostate cancer has access to the best possible care and outcomes.