Sunak and MPs Urge Prostate Cancer Screening Program in UK

More than 120 Members of Parliament have united in a call for a targeted national prostate cancer screening program in the United Kingdom. This initiative, backed by significant political figures including former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour MP Wes Streeting, aims to enhance early detection of a disease that affects a growing number of men across the country. On November 24, 2025, Sunak personally delivered a letter to Streeting, emphasizing the urgent need for action.

The letter asserts that the UK can become a global leader in reducing prostate cancer mortality rates, but warns that without immediate implementation of a screening program, the country risks lagging behind other nations already adopting such measures. Prostate cancer is currently the most prevalent cancer in the UK, with approximately 63,000 cases diagnosed annually and about 12,000 deaths attributed to the disease each year. Notably, there is no national screening initiative for prostate cancer, unlike established programs for breast, bowel, and lung cancer.

Urgent Call for Action

The UK National Screening Committee is scheduled to convene on Thursday to review recent findings related to prostate cancer diagnosis. The committee’s recommendations will play a critical role in determining the future of prostate cancer screening in the UK. The Daily Mail, which has been actively campaigning for this cause, advocates for an initial focus on high-risk groups, including Black men, those with a family history of prostate cancer, and individuals with certain genetic mutations.

In the letter, which was coordinated by Prostate Cancer Research, the MPs express a shared conviction that “no man should die because of his postcode, ethnicity, or GP access.” They highlight the impending meeting of the National Screening Committee as a pivotal moment for men’s health, urging the government to take decisive action to ensure that vulnerable populations are not overlooked.

Research presented in the letter cites compelling evidence against historical arguments opposing screening. A recent study indicated that screening men for prostate cancer can reduce mortality risk by 13%, with one death prevented for every 456 men screened. Furthermore, advancements in MRI technology have decreased the risks previously associated with screening, such as unnecessary biopsies, by 79%.

The financial implications of early detection also present a strong case for the proposed screening program. The letter notes that the cost of inviting men for screening is estimated at just £18 per individual, while the expense of treating late-stage prostate cancer can reach £127,000 per patient, compared to just £13,000 for early-stage treatment.

Political and Personal Support

Former Prime Minister David Cameron, who has openly shared his experience with prostate cancer treatment, has joined the campaign for a targeted screening program. His involvement lends additional weight to the initiative, as he emphasizes the need for timely intervention in order to prevent further loss of life.

MP Calvin Bailey, who also delivered the letter alongside Sunak and Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for health and social care, articulated the urgent need for change. He expressed concern about the growing inequalities in access to screening, which has left many at high risk without the necessary tests until it is too late.

Oliver Kemp, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer Research, called for a shift away from outdated reasoning against screening. He noted that recent advancements in medical technology have significantly reduced overdiagnosis rates, indicating that the UK risks falling behind if it does not adapt its approach to prostate cancer testing.

As the UK National Screening Committee prepares to assess the future of prostate cancer screening, the time for action is now, according to the MPs and health advocates involved in this campaign. They assert that implementing a targeted screening program would represent a “legacy-defining advance for men’s health,” potentially saving thousands of lives in the years to come.