The government has announced plans to introduce routine at-home PSA test kits as part of a major effort to improve men’s health and reduce preventable deaths. The initiative marks the first time prostate cancer monitoring will be available at home.
Prostate cancer, heart disease, and mental health conditions remain the leading causes of death among men in the UK. Officials say the goal is to make earlier detection and better care more accessible, particularly for conditions that men are often reluctant to seek help for.
The new measures include video consultations with specialists, tailored training for healthcare staff on men’s health issues, and expanded research funding to improve diagnosis and treatment. If approved, the PSA test kits—used to check for elevated prostate-specific antigen levels—will be available to order through the NHS App from 2027.
The PSA protein is produced by both normal and cancerous prostate cells. High levels can be an early sign of prostate problems, including cancer. While the test is not diagnostic on its own, it helps identify men who need further medical evaluation.
Routine PSA screenings are not currently offered on the NHS, but men over 50 can request a test from their GP. The move toward home-based testing follows growing calls for a national screening programme to catch the disease earlier.
Chiara De Biase, director of health services and improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, welcomed the plan, calling it a “vital step” in giving men more control over their health and supporting early treatment. She urged men to use the charity’s online “Risk Checker” to assess their likelihood of developing prostate cancer.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the new strategy aims to close the life expectancy gap between men and women. Men currently die almost four years earlier on average, with suicide remaining the leading cause of death for those under 50. The government will also partner with the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide campaign to challenge stigma around mental health.
“For too long, men’s health has been overlooked,” Streeting said. “We’re determined to meet men where they are—whether that’s at work, through sport, or online—and give them the support they need to live longer, healthier lives.”
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