A men’s health charity is hosting a major conference calling for the introduction of a national screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK.
The event, organised by men’s health charity CHAPS, will bring together leading clinicians, researchers and policymakers to present new evidence on the benefits of nationwide screening for prostate cancer.
The conference will take place on 22 April at Freemasons Hall in London and will feature keynote contributions from experts working at the forefront of prostate cancer detection and treatment.
Among the speakers will be Sir James Cleverly MP, the Shadow Communities Secretary and MP for Braintree, who is supporting the campaign for a national screening programme.
Prostate cancer has now overtaken breast cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, with 63,000 new cases and 13,000 deaths per year, yet there is still no nationwide screening programme in place.
CHAPS, which was founded by consultant urologist Professor Chris Booth, believes the decision by the UK National Screening Committee not to introduce a national prostate cancer screening programme remains controversial and will ultimately cost lives.
The conference will present results from four successful UK screening programmes and provide evidence supporting the case for a nationwide programme designed to improve early detection and reduce deaths from the disease.
Sir James, who has himself taken a PSA (prostate specific antigen) test after becoming aware of the increased risks faced by some men, said earlier diagnosis is key to saving lives.
“Caught early, prostate cancer can be successfully treated,” said Sir James. “But too many men are dying because their symptoms are not caught early enough.
“We know who is most at risk: black men, men over 50 and those with a family history of the disease. Now we have the tools to do something about it and the evidence which will be shared at this conference will show why we need a national programme.”
Professor Booth said the charity believes the evidence supporting screening is now compelling.
“Some 55,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in England every year. Almost 10,000 of them had to visit their GP at least three times before their cancer was detected.
“This loses vital time in which earlier treatment could have improved outcomes and made treatment easier and less invasive.
“Prostate cancer screening is needed in England because the disease is not only common but usually silent in its early stages when it is curable.
“The disjointed way screening currently takes place across the country makes early diagnosis and treatment something of a postcode lottery.”
Recent data from CHAPS highlights the challenges facing current screening efforts. An audit of 8,808 PSA tests carried out between 2022-24, resulted in 674 abnormal results, yet only 250 were referred by GPs for specialist investigation.
Professor Booth said the findings highlight the need for a more structured approach.
“The clear inequalities in outcomes underscore both the benefits of PSA testing and the need for a more structured, equitable system,” he said.
“A national screening strategy could improve early detection, standardise referral pathways, integrate symptomatic assessment, and reduce regional disparities in care.”
Alongside the policy debate, the conference will also present the latest evidence on best-practice screening models and advances in treatment for men diagnosed with prostate cancer at earlier stages.
For organisations that do not yet operate screening initiatives, the event will also provide practical guidance and evidence on how cost-effective local programmes can be introduced while the debate over a national programme continues.
Journalists interested in attending the conference or arranging interviews with speakers, including Sir James Cleverly and Professor Chris Booth, should contact Nick Owens at Magnify PR via email at nick.owens@magnifypr.co.uk.
