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PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(11 December 2024)

Question Asked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of prostate cancer screenings.

Asked by:
Jonathan Davies (Labour)

Answer

Screening for prostate cancer is currently not recommended by the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC). This is because of the inaccuracy of the current best test, called the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). A PSA-based screening programme could harm some men, as many would be diagnosed with a cancer that would not have caused them problems during their life.  This would lead to additional tests and treatments which can also have harmful side effects, for example sexual dysfunction and incontinence.

The UK NSC regularly reviews its recommendations. The evidence review for prostate cancer screening is underway and will conclude at the end of 2025.


Answered by:
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1 January 1970            

        

            
                            
                            
                        

                    


                                    

                    

                        

                    

                

            
                    

                                    

                

                    
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