UPDATE - Issue 38 - Autumn 2009
National screening committee news
Following the publication of the European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer back in March, the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) was asked by the government to review existing advice not to routinely screen for prostate cancer.
The UK NSC formally reviewed this request at its meeting on 23 June 2009 and agreed that the Sheffield School of Health and Related Research should be commissioned to produce an independent academic analysis of the new trial data. This is due to be completed in Spring 2010, and will be followed by a stakeholder consultation, after which the UK NSC’s updated advice will be formally published.
In the meantime, the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes’ office has developed an updated information pack supporting the existing Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme (PCRMP). Prostate UK continues to suggest that men also refer to the ‘Real PCRMP’ leaflet that was produced jointly with the Prostate Cancer Patient Federation and which can be obtained at www.pcrmp.org.uk or by phoning 020 8788 7720.
Prostate UK has been invited by the UK NSC to be included in the stakeholder review and will continue to campaign for all men over 50 (or 45 with a family history of prostate cancer) to be able to receive a PSA test easily on request.