PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(28 November 2024)

Question Asked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to Prostate Cancer UK's research entitled Optimising the use of the prostate- specific antigen blood test in asymptomatic men for early prostate cancer detection in primary care: report from a UK clinical consensus, published on 25 July 2024, if he will take steps to implement the recommendation on reviewing guidelines on allowing primary care staff to proactively discuss (a) prostate cancer risk and (b) prostate specific antigen testing with men at highest-risk of developing that cancer.

Asked by:
John Milne (Liberal Democrat)

Answer

The UK National Screening Committee is aware of the Prostate Cancer UK report, and this will be considered as part of its evidence review process, with further information available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nsc-evidence-review-process/uk-nsc-evidence-review-process

The Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme (PCRMP) provides general practitioners (GPs) with information and guidance to counsel men who have no symptoms, but wish to have a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test. It highlights the potential benefits and harms of PSA testing so that men, including those at higher risk, can make an informed decision about whether to have the test.

Based on the current evidence, the PCRMP guidance is for GPs not to proactively offer a PSA to men without symptoms. This is because of the high level of inaccuracy of the PSA test which could lead to unnecessary tests and treatments that carry risks of life-changing harm, such as urinary and faecal incontinence, sexual dysfunction, as well as a smaller but serious risk of sepsis. Additionally, some prostate cancers may not produce elevated PSA levels, leading to false-negative results that provide deceptive reassurance.


Answered by:
()

1 January 1970

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