Majority of UK Men Would Opt for Prostate Cancer Screening, Survey Finds

Published: 08 October 2025. The English Chronicle Online.

A new survey has revealed that the majority of men in the United Kingdom would attend prostate cancer screening if invited by the NHS, highlighting growing public support for a national testing programme. The research, conducted by Healthwatch England and encompassing 3,575 adults, found that eight in ten men aged over 18 would accept an NHS check for prostate cancer, the most common form of the disease in men.

The findings arrive amid calls from The Telegraph and other health campaigners for a dedicated prostate cancer screening programme that would target high-risk groups, including men over 50, black men, and those with a family history of the disease. Currently, men over 50 who do not exhibit symptoms can request a blood test from their GP, but there is no routine invitation system in place. NHS guidance instructs GPs not to proactively offer testing unless men present symptoms, leaving a significant portion of at-risk men without timely access to screening.

Healthwatch England’s survey also found that the willingness to undergo screening increases with age. Among men aged 65 to 74, nine in ten expressed readiness to attend an NHS check, underscoring a clear demand for earlier detection and preventative measures in the population most likely to be affected. The think tank emphasised that the Government has so far neglected to consult men on a national testing programme as part of its “men’s health strategy,” urging policymakers to incorporate public opinion alongside expert medical guidance in their decision-making.

Prostate cancer testing typically begins with a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test, which measures the amount of a protein produced by the prostate gland. In many cases, further diagnostic procedures such as MRI scans and biopsies are required to confirm a diagnosis before any treatment is initiated. While these tests are essential for detecting potentially life-threatening conditions, critics caution that PSA testing can sometimes lead to overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments, which may carry their own risks and side effects.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has publicly endorsed the principle of a prostate cancer screening programme, noting that around 55,000 men are diagnosed with the disease each year in the UK. However, he stressed that any implementation would be “guided by the evidence,” and the National Screening Committee has been tasked with reviewing available options. A formal decision on whether to introduce routine screening for prostate cancer is expected in November.

The survey’s results reveal significant variations in risk awareness and demand among different demographic groups. For example, 81% of black men surveyed indicated that they would attend an NHS check, an important consideration given that black men are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer compared to other groups. The research also examined whether men aged 50 and over had previously requested a PSA test. Approximately 36% had made a request, though 7% of those were denied access, while the remainder had never sought testing.

Prostate cancer remains a significant public health concern. Around one in eight men will be diagnosed with the disease, most often after the age of 50. Despite advances in detection and treatment, more than 10,000 men die from prostate cancer each year in the UK. Early diagnosis dramatically increases survival rates, making the case for routine screening even more compelling.

Advocates argue that introducing a national screening programme could save thousands of lives each year by identifying cases at an earlier, more treatable stage. They point to the success of existing NHS cancer screening programmes, including breast, cervical, and bowel cancer, as a model for early detection initiatives that improve outcomes and reduce long-term healthcare costs.

Critics of routine PSA testing caution that widespread screening must be carefully managed to avoid overdiagnosis and unnecessary medical interventions. They argue that alongside screening, men should receive comprehensive guidance and follow-up care to ensure that any detected abnormalities are assessed appropriately and treated only when medically necessary.

The survey results and ongoing discussions about prostate cancer screening highlight a broader need for increased awareness of men’s health issues in the UK. Public health experts emphasise that, alongside routine medical check-ups, lifestyle interventions such as diet, exercise, and regular monitoring of prostate health can play a key role in prevention and early detection.

With public support clearly evident and expert bodies reviewing the available evidence, the coming months will be critical in determining whether the NHS introduces a national programme that routinely invites men for prostate cancer screening. Health campaigners hope that by incorporating both scientific evidence and patient perspectives, policymakers will implement measures that could significantly reduce the burden of this common and potentially deadly disease.