PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(22 June 2026)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the announcement that the UK National Screening Committee’s prostate cancer screening economic model will remain active, how will peer-reviewed evidence be incorporated into that process.

Asked by:
Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat)

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) keeps abreast of new research. When new peer reviewed evidence is published, the committee will assess its quality and relevance. If the evidence relates to an aspect the committee has not previously considered, for example biomarkers, then the new evidence will be assessed alongside other published evidence on that aspect. The committee uses evidence maps, and rapid and systematic reviews to ensure all relevant literature is included. The combined data results of such a review are then fed into the model.

If the new evidence changes the assessment of benefits and harms, then a draft recommendation would be made by the UK NSC, and this would be subject to a three month public consultation process, similar to that undertaken for the existing recommendation.

Answered by:
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