MEN in Britain may be routinely screened for prostate cancer after new research suggested it could save thousands of lives.
A European study of more than 160,000 volunteers found death rates from the disease could be cut by 20 per cent if men were screened. If that was replicated in the UK, some 2,000 lives would be saved each year.
The UK National Screening Committe
e, which assesses UK-wide programmes, is to review the evidence to see whether such a scheme should be introduced.
Earlier this month, researchers said a screening programme for ovarian cancer should be considered in an attempt to save thousands of women's lives.
The latest study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, focused on more than 160,000 men aged between 55 and 69, who were split into two groups – one had routine screening every four years and the other did not. The screening tests for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the body, which is higher in men with cancer.
However, a major argument against screening is that PSA can be unreliable and lead to men being unnecessarily treated for the disease – or readings may appear relatively normal in men who do have the disease. Many prostate cancers are also slow growing and not likely to pose a threat to a man's remaining lifespan, especially if he is elderly.
The European study found, after an average follow-up of nine years, 214 prostate cancer deaths had occurred in the screening group, compared with 326 in the other group. It showed PSA screening reduced overall death rates by 20 per cent but was also linked to a high risk of over-diagnosis of the disease.
Some 5,990 prostate cancers were found in the screening group, compared with 4,301 in the control group. The rate of over-diagnosis – cases found in men who would not have developed clinical symptoms in their lifetimes – was as high as 50 per cent in those who were screened.
Ann Keen, a health minister, said the government would ask the screening committee to review the evidence and make recommendations.
John Neate, chief executive of the Prostate Cancer Charity, welcomed the decision and added: "This highlights the critical importance of the development of a new-generation test that can identify aggressive forms of prostate cancer and differentiate them from slow-growing forms of the disease."
Cancer Research UK said the study was important but longer-term results were needed.
Prostate cancer affects about 35,000 men in the UK each year, including 2,400 in Scotland.
RECESSION 'MAY HIT BATTLE TO BRIDGE HEALTH GAP'
EFFORTS to reduce the health gap between Scotland's rich and poor could be derailed by the financial crisis, an expert has warned.
Professor John Frank, the director of the Scottish Collaboration for Public Health Research and Policy, said there had been little sign so far that health inequalities were reducing in Scotland.
He said that, unless funding was targeted at increasing the chances of pre-school children from disadvantaged backgrounds, the gap would not be cut.
Prof Frank, addressing public sector financial managers at a conference in Edinburgh today, will argue the case for ensuring that money is still targeted at improving the lives of the next generation during the recession to reduce inequalities later on.
He will say funding decisions should focus on improving the pre-school experience of children, adding:
"Kids from a less advantaged background need special preparation. They need extra time where they learn more social skills and communication skills. The parents need to be involved. It needs to be done at a local community level."
Prof Frank said there was a danger that tough decisions made during the recession could mean that pre-school education was sidelined.
"If society doesn't put investment into the next generation in this way, then it will pay for their health problems that will arise prematurely and much more extensively in the disadvantaged groups."
Today's event is being organised by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
