"The first NHS screening programme for prostate cancer could be given the green light this week, marking a game-changing opportunity to save thousands of lives. On Thursday, the Government's National Screening Committee (NSC) will meet to make a decision that could revolutionise early detection and treatment. The country's top oncologists, economists and medical ethicists are expected to issue a recommendation on whether to roll out widespread screening in a bid to catch the disease earlier."
"But it would likely only be approved for people at highest risk - such as those with a family history or particular genes. Prostate cancer is the most common form of the disease in men, with around 63,000 diagnoses and 12,000 deaths each year in the UK. The Daily Mail has long campaigned for a national screening programme - similar to that in place for breast, bowel and cervical cancer - to be implemented."
"The NHS currently uses PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood testing and MRI scans to check for the disease. Major studies have found that screening for prostate cancer slashes the risk of dying from the disease by 13 per cent and leads to a 'sustained' drop in deaths over several decades. Researchers from University Medical Centre Rotterdam discovered that one death was prevented for every 456 men invited for PSA tests."
The National Screening Committee will decide whether to introduce the first NHS prostate cancer screening programme, with proposals focused on people at highest risk such as those with family history or specific genes. Prostate cancer causes about 63,000 diagnoses and 12,000 deaths annually in the UK. The NHS currently uses PSA blood tests and MRI to detect the disease. Technological advances have reduced previous concerns about overdiagnosis. Major trials show screening lowers prostate cancer mortality by about 13% and produces a sustained reduction in deaths. One study found one death prevented per 456 men invited for PSA testing. Targeted checks could cost around £18 per patient, below breast screening costs. Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer in September 2023.
#prostate-cancer-screening #nhs-policy-decision #psa-and-mri-diagnostics #screening-effectiveness-and-cost
Read at Mail Online
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]