I deeply sympathise with anyone affected by prostate cancer. It is a significant health issue, with one in eight men diagnosed during their lifetime. Each year, more than 52,000 men are diagnosed, and over 12,000 sadly lose their lives to this disease. 

Cancer remains the leading cause of avoidable deaths in the UK, with survival rates for nine out of ten cancers below the European average. That’s why I fully support the Government’s decision to target cancer as one of its three major health priorities. I am also encouraged by the commitment to ensure that 75% of all cancers are diagnosed at stages one or two, where the chances of survival are highest. 

Early detection is crucial, and I support the Government’s focus on improving screening programmes. Far too many cancer deaths could be avoided with earlier diagnosis.

Unfortunately, the NHS has fewer diagnostic scanners per person compared to other countries, and many of the machines are outdated. I therefore back the plan to double the number of CT and MRI scanners to help the NHS detect cancer and other conditions earlier. 

I understand that the NHS does not currently offer a national screening programme for prostate cancer. This is due to concerns that widespread prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing could do more harm than good.  

Indeed, the UK National Screening Committee has raised concerns about the accuracy of PSA test results, which could lead to unnecessary treatment, and too many cancers being missed. Before someone is offered a PSA test, NICE recommends that the following information is presented to them: 

‘Benefits of PSA testing include: 

• prostate cancer may be detected before symptoms develop and may extend life or facilitate a complete cure 

Limitations and risks of PSA testing include: 

• false-negative PSA tests – about 15% of asymptomatic people with a normal PSA level may have prostate cancer 

• false-positive PSA tests –  about 75% of people with a raised PSA level have a negative prostate biopsy 

• false-positive PSA test may lead to invasive investigations, such as prostate biopsy, and there may be adverse effects 

• unnecessary treatment – slow growing tumours are common and may not cause any symptoms or shorten life’ 

Therefore, increasing screening for prostate cancer is not as straightforward as with other cancers. 

However, I agree with campaigners that early detection is essential for improving outcomes, particularly for Black men, who are twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and men from ‘deprived backgrounds’. I am hopeful that the upcoming TRANSFORM randomised controlled trial will provide valuable new insights into more accurate and cost-effective screening methods. 

The trial will test a number of different strategies, including using MRI scans upfront for screening. This approach could tip the balance in favour of a screening programme by detecting cancers that PSA testing alone might miss, while minimising overdiagnosis and the side effects of overtreatment. 

I also intend to meet with Prostate Cancer UK to discuss prostate cancer screening, as well as prostate cancer more broadly. 

I can assure you that I will continue to follow developments with prostate cancer closely and support efforts to improve prostate cancer care, diagnosis and treatment. We must make progress in the fight against prostate cancer.