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Anger Over UK's Refusal of National Prostate Screening
4 Feb
Summary
- A 76-year-old man diagnosed in 2024 with aggressive prostate cancer.
- UK government review deems national screening program not justified.
- Black men face double risk but are excluded from recommended screening.
In 2024, 76-year-old Guy Griffiths of Coventry was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. He voiced shock and anger, contending that his GP should have suggested routine PSA blood testing rather than expecting patients to request it, potentially leading to earlier detection.
Griffiths's concerns were amplified by a November government review. This review concluded that a national prostate cancer screening program is not justified for men in the UK. This recommendation applies even to black men, who have double the risk of developing the disease.
Griffiths argues this decision is discriminatory, given the documented higher incidence and mortality rates among black men. Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, stated that discussions with clinicians and charities will inform his thinking pending the UK National Screening Committee's final recommendation. Efforts are underway to expand access to treatments and research, prioritizing black men who face a twice-as-high risk of dying from prostate cancer.
