Committee publication · Correspondence · 10 June 2026
Correspondence from Minister Hodgson - Prostate Screening
Summary
Minister Sharon Hodgson confirms the government has accepted the UK National Screening Committee's recommendation to introduce PSA screening for men aged 45–61 with BRCA2 gene variants and a family history of certain cancers, to be implemented by the NHS in 2027. The government rejected a broader screening programme for all men or higher-risk groups, citing insufficient evidence of benefit versus harm, but committed to additional focal therapy funding and expanded access to the TRANSFORM trial for Black men.
Key findings
- UK NSC recommends PSA screening for men with BRCA2 gene variant and family history of pancreatic, prostate, breast or ovarian cancer, ages 45–61, every two years; NHS will implement via IT call and recall system in 2027.
- Government rejected wider screening for all men over a certain age and for men with family history or Black men, despite acknowledging Black men are twice as likely to be diagnosed with and die from prostate cancer.
- Government will increase investment in focal therapy (minimally invasive treatment targeting only cancerous tissue) to reduce treatment side effects and support the NIHR/Prostate Cancer UK TRANSFORM trial.
- Government committed to extending Stage 2 TRANSFORM trial invitations to all eligible Black men (subject to Stage 1 success) to address evidence gaps on risks for this population.
- Officials working with Cancer Research UK to develop interim GP guidance for asymptomatic men with suspected family history seeking PSA tests; public and GP guidance to be updated in line with new recommendation.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Sharon Hodgson MP, Layla Moran MP, UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), NHS, Cancer Research UK (CRUK), NIHR, Prostate Cancer UK, UK Cancer Genetics Group
Notable line
“… having considered the evidence carefully, I agree with the UK NSC recommendation that the risk of unnecessary treatment and avoidable harm is currently too great to support a wider programme at this stage.”
Key Quotes
“The recommendation is to use a PSA test to screen men who have both a BRCA2 gene variant and a family history of pancreatic, prostate, breast or ovarian cancer, between the ages of 45 and 61, every two years.”
“I understand that many people will feel disappointed that there will not be a wider screening programme for all men over a certain age, or for groups considered to be at higher risk, including men with a family history and Black men, who are twice as likely to be diagnosed with and die from the condition.”
“I am clear we must follow the evidence, and continue to do, so I would like to reassure you that today's decision is one step in an ongoing process.”
“Focal therapy is a minimally invasive treatment that targets only the cancerous portion of the prostate while leaving healthy tissue intact. It significantly reduces the risk of traditional side effects of treatment such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗