Thousands of people in the United Kingdom have petitioned the government to expand access to prostate cancer testing, arguing that early detection could save lives. The petition called for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests to be routinely offered to men at higher risk, including those with a family history of cancer and Black men, who face greater risk.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK, similar to its prevalence in the United States. Yet, unlike routine mammograms for breast cancer, there is no national screening program for prostate cancer.
Government Pushback on PSA Screening
In its official response, the UK Department of Health and Social Care said it has “no current plans” to require the NHS to offer PSA tests as part of routine screening.
The main concern is that PSA testing is not always reliable:
False positives: Elevated PSA levels may be caused by conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, or even physical activity. These results can lead to unnecessary anxiety, invasive biopsies, and treatments with lasting side effects such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
False negatives: Some prostate cancers do not trigger elevated PSA levels, meaning a normal test result could give false reassurance.
Because of these limitations, the UK’s National Screening Committee currently advises against population-wide screening.
Future Reviews and Research
The government emphasized that it continues to review prostate cancer screening. The National Screening Committee has completed a new evidence review, including studies on both general population screening and targeted programs for higher-risk groups. A public consultation is expected in late 2025, after which ministers will decide whether to update national policy.
Meanwhile, the government has invested £16 million to support the TRANSFORM trial, a landmark £42 million research project led by Prostate Cancer UK. This study will be the largest prostate cancer screening trial in 20 years, comparing different diagnostic methods to identify the most effective approach. Importantly, at least one in 10 participants will be Black men, reflecting their higher risk.
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