NHS to assess prostate cancer screening advice prompted by Sir Chris Hoy’s plea

The health secretary has announced that the NHS will examine its recommendations for prostate cancer testing. This comes after Sir Chris Hoy’s “powerful” appeal for increased screening among younger men. Sir Chris, the 48-year-old Olympic cycling champion, is battling advanced cancer that has metastasized to his bones and is considered terminal. During his initial television interview since disclosing his diagnosis, Sir Chris informed BBC Breakfast that individuals with a significant family history of the disease should contemplate consulting their GP for a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test to aid in early detection. Currently, PSA tests are not routinely provided to men under 50 who are asymptomatic but potentially at risk; instead, medical professionals are instructed to exercise their discretion. Sir Chris stated on BBC Breakfast: “To me it seems a no-brainer. Why would they not reduce the age? Bring the age down and allow more men to go in and get a blood test.” Health Secretary Wes Streeting conveyed to the BBC that Sir Chris presents a compelling case. “That’s why I’ve asked the NHS to look at the case for lowering the age,” he stated, adding, “It’s obviously got to be evidence-led, clinically-led decisions.” According to NHS guidelines for England, individuals aged over 50 are eligible to request a PSA test. Furthermore, men experiencing symptoms, regardless of age, are also able to ask for this test. The NHS does not provide routine PSA testing or screening, as specialists contend that the test alone lacks sufficient accuracy to dependably confirm or dismiss cancer. Medical professionals are exploring the potential for incorporating MRI scans with PSA tests to enhance diagnostic precision. Prostate Cancer UK, a charity, supports this initiative, asserting that increased checks could potentially preserve thousands of lives annually. Spokeswoman Chiara De Biase stated: “One in eight men will get prostate cancer, but there’s currently no screening programme for the disease. “If your dad or brother has had prostate cancer, or you’re black, you have the highest risk of getting the disease, and we strongly recommend you talk to your GP about testing from 45.” She continued: “Right now, you need to be aware of this and bring it up with a GP yourself. As prostate cancer often has no symptoms in its earlier stages this is leading to too many men getting a late, incurable diagnosis – like Sir Chris.” Sir Chris recounted the “absolute shock and horror” he experienced upon receiving his initial diagnosis. The revelation of his terminal illness, in September 2023, arrived “completely out the blue.” He added: “No symptoms, no warnings, nothing. All I had was a pain in my shoulder and a little bit of pain in my ribs.” He also described the “nightmare” of discovering his wife, Sarra, had multiple sclerosis, and the challenge of informing their two young children. He shared: “We just tried to be positive and tried to say ‘Do you know what? This is what we’re doing and you can help because when I’m not feeling well, you can come and give me cuddles, you can be supportive, you can be happy, you can be kind to each other’.” He expressed gratitude for the widespread support they had received and indicated his focus was on positive aspects and the beneficial outcomes he anticipates from this situation. His announcement led to an almost eight-fold surge in NHS searches for prostate cancer symptoms in the subsequent days. He conveyed to the BBC: “It’s been the toughest year of our lives so far by some stretch.” He further hoped: “Maybe people seeing this or hearing about my story – just by them asking their GP – will create enough of a surge of interest that people that make the decisions will go ‘you know what, we need to address this’. And in the long term this will save potentially millions of lives.” He also stated: “I know what the end result will be. Nobody lives forever. Our time on this planet is finite. Don’t waste your time worrying about stuff that isn’t that important. Focus on the things that are.” He reflected: “My perspective on life has changed massively. I am more thankful, I’m more grateful for each day. It’s been a tough year and it’s going to be tough ahead in the future too but for now, right here right now, we’re doing pretty well.” The NHS recommends that men consult a doctor if they believe they are at an elevated risk of prostate cancer. The likelihood of developing this cancer rises with age. Cancer Research UK indicates that current evidence implies routine PSA screening would not significantly contribute to preventing fatalities and could instead result in men undergoing superfluous treatment, potentially causing unwarranted stress and adverse effects. PSA is not a definitive diagnostic tool. An elevated PSA level does not automatically confirm the presence of cancer; it can also be raised due to other conditions, such as inflammation. Should you request a PSA test, your physician might recommend a thorough consideration of its advantages and drawbacks. The complete interview, titled Sir Chris Hoy: Finding Hope, is scheduled for broadcast on BBC One at 20:00 GMT on Tuesday, 5 November, and will subsequently be accessible on BBC iPlayer. It will also be available for full listening on BBC Sounds. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. 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