Sunak and MPs Push for Prostate Cancer Screening Program

A coalition of over 120 Members of Parliament (MPs) has united to advocate for a targeted national prostate cancer screening programme in the United Kingdom. This initiative, which aims to address rising cancer rates among men, received direct support from both former Prime Minister David Cameron and current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. On November 24, 2025, Sunak personally delivered a letter to Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, emphasizing the urgent need for action.

The letter asserts that the UK has the potential to “lead the world” in reducing deaths from prostate cancer but risks falling behind without the introduction of routine targeted screenings. Prostate cancer is now the most prevalent cancer in the UK, with approximately 63,000 cases and 12,000 deaths annually. Unlike established screening programmes for breast, bowel, and lung cancer, prostate cancer currently lacks a national screening initiative.

Urgent Call for Action on Prostate Cancer

The letter, coordinated by Prostate Cancer Research, stresses that no man should die due to factors such as postcode, ethnicity, or access to healthcare. As the UK National Screening Committee prepares to meet on Thursday to review recent evidence regarding prostate cancer diagnosis, the MPs highlight this as a pivotal moment for men’s health.

They present strong evidence that previous concerns about the costs and risks of over-diagnosis associated with prostate screenings are now outdated. Recent studies indicate that screening can reduce mortality risk from prostate cancer by 13 percent, preventing one death for every 456 men screened. Furthermore, advancements in MRI technology have significantly decreased the need for unnecessary biopsies by 79 percent.

The financial implications are also noteworthy. The proposed target screening programme would cost the NHS only £18 for each man invited for checks, while the cost of treating late-stage cancer averages £127,000 per patient. In contrast, early-stage treatment costs around £13,000, suggesting that early detection could lead to substantial savings for the healthcare system.

Modern Techniques and Collaborative Efforts

The MPs emphasized that modern diagnostic pathways have transformed the safety and effectiveness of screenings. Current practices involve performing MRIs prior to considering biopsies, which allows for safer procedures and better identification of low-grade cancers that may not require immediate surgery.

Cameron, who has undergone treatment for prostate cancer, has added his voice to the campaign, urging immediate action. The MPs assert that waiting for further perfect data could result in preventable deaths. Their letter states, “Harms that once justified inaction have largely been engineered out,” and they call for the implementation of targeted screening as a critical advancement in men’s health.

Sunak reiterated the need for a practical and affordable targeted screening programme, stating, “With thousands of men still being diagnosed too late each year, we cannot continue with a system that relies on chance.” He emphasized the opportunity to save lives and significantly improve men’s health outcomes.

Oliver Kemp, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer Research, echoed this sentiment, urging the public to support the campaign. He stated, “It is time to stop hiding behind outdated arguments,” and highlighted the advancements in screening technologies that have improved outcomes in other countries.

As the UK National Screening Committee prepares to review the evidence, the message from MPs and health advocates is clear: action is needed now to implement a targeted prostate cancer screening programme that can save lives and address inequalities in healthcare access.