PSA Testing: What the National Debate Means for Men — and How Kays Medical Can Help

The national conversation on prostate cancer screening has intensified, following Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s recent statement that he wants the NHS to introduce routine screening for men. Streeting’s comments come after major cancer charities told him that a screening programme could save thousands of lives. Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer among men in the UK, with approximately 63,000 diagnoses and 12,000 deaths each year. Despite this, it is still the only major cancer without a national screening programme.

The Evidence: PSA Screening Saves Lives

Several large-scale studies have demonstrated the life‑saving potential of prostate cancer screening:

• Screening reduces a man’s risk of dying from prostate cancer by 13%.
• One death is prevented for every 456 men screened.
• These outcomes are comparable to existing breast and bowel screening programmes.

This evidence underpins the push from charities, clinicians, and patient advocates to make PSA testing more widely accessible—particularly for men in higher‑risk groups.

The UKNSC’s Draft Guidance: A More Cautious View

Despite strong research, the UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) has advised against population‑wide PSA screening, citing concerns that the PSA blood test may “cause more harm than good.”

The committee emphasises potential harms:

• False positives, where a raised PSA level does not necessarily indicate cancer.
• Overdiagnosis of slow‑growing tumours that may never become dangerous.
• Unnecessary biopsies or surgery, which can result in side effects such as incontinence or erectile dysfunction.

Instead, the UKNSC recommends screening only for men with high‑risk BRCA1/BRCA2 gene variants aged 45 to 61.

A final decision from the committee is expected in March 2026.

Streeting’s Position: “Guided by the Evidence,” But Open to Change

Streeting has stated he was “surprised” by the UKNSC’s recommendation and intends to “thrash out” the evidence with leading clinicians and researchers before a final decision is made.

He reiterated that any decision must be evidence-based rather than politically driven, but stressed his determination to improve outcomes for men with prostate cancer.

Charities Warn That Delaying Screening Will Cost Lives

Prostate cancer charities have described the draft recommendation as a “missed opportunity”, arguing that modern diagnostic pathways are now far safer than in the past.

Recent NHS evidence shows significant progress:

• Improvements in MRI scanning and biopsy techniques have reduced diagnostic harm by 79%.

Charities argue that delaying wider PSA screening will “continue to condemn the lives of thousands more men.”

What Men Can Do Now

Although there is no national screening programme yet, men aged 50 and above can request a PSA test through their GP, and those at higher risk — including men with a family history of prostate cancer, Black men, or those with known genetic predispositions —should seek testing earlier. Early detection remains crucial, and awareness is key.

Kays Medical Offers PSA Testing

At Kays Medical, we are committed to improving workplace health through early detection and evidence‑based practice. We provide PSA testing as part of our occupational health services, offering convenient access to an important first‑line check for prostate health.

Our PSA testing service can support:

• Employees seeking proactive health screening
• Men aged 50+ or those at higher risk who may benefit from earlier testing
• Organisations aiming to enhance wellbeing outcomes across male‑dominated workforces

Kays Medical ensures PSA testing is delivered with appropriate clinical guidance, helping individuals understand their results and next steps.

Our Commitment

We will continue to monitor emerging guidance, including the UKNSC’s final recommendation, and ensure our clients have access to the latest evidence, best practice, and reliable testing options.

If your organisation would like to arrange PSA screening sessions or learn more about men’s health services, our occupational health team is here to help.