Does the Welsh Government have any plans to introduce a national screening programme for prostate cancer in Wales?
Following its consideration of the available evidence the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) has recommended a nationally managed approach to biennial targeted prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening should be implemented for men aged 45 to 61 who have a pathogenic germline BRCA2 variant, and have a family history of breast, ovarian, pancreatic or prostate cancer.
The UK NSC has not recommended population‑wide prostate cancer screening or screening for men without a pathogenic BRCA2 variant, including those with family history alone or black men without a BRCA2 variant, due to insufficient evidence and because the potential harm outweighs the benefits for most men. Further research is planned to address current evidence gaps and the UK NSC will consider new evidence as it becomes available.
The Welsh Government will carefully consider the UK NSC recommendation and its implications for Wales before any decisions are taken on implementation. This will involve working with the NHS in Wales and third sector. Anyone with symptoms of, or concerns about, prostate cancer should contact their GP.