The £18 cancer test that could help save thousands of lives | UK | News
Analysis suggests targeted checks for men at high risk of prostate cancer would cost just £18 per patient and could save thousands of lives. Campaigners calling for the launch of a screening program say the tests would be £4 cheaper per eligible patient than breast cancer screening offered to women aged 50 to 70.
A report from Prostate Cancer Research suggests that screening 1.3 million high-risk men would cost the country just £25 million a year. It is estimated that every £20,000 spent could lead to an extra year of a patient’s life.
Those considered high risk are men between the ages of 45 and 69 who are black or have a family history of the disease.
Oliver Kemp, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer Research, said: “We hope that the screening committee will recognize the important findings in this report.
“This shows that a national screening program targeting men at highest risk would be affordable, feasible and life-saving.
“We cannot stand still when more than 12,000 fathers, husbands and sons go missing every year.”
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is among those who support calls for a screening programme. He told the Telegraph: “This report makes clear that a targeted screening program for prostate cancer is feasible and will save lives.
Those considered high risk are men between the ages of 45 and 69 who are black or have a family history of the disease.
Oliver Kemp, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer Research, said: “We hope that the screening committee will take note of the important findings in this report.
“This shows that a national screening program targeting men at highest risk would be affordable, feasible and life-saving.
“We cannot stand still when more than 12,000 fathers, husbands and sons go missing every year.”
Around 55,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the UK.
Former Prime Minister Rishi Altar He is among those who support calls for a screening program. He told the Telegraph: “This report makes clear that a targeted screening program for prostate cancer is feasible and will save lives.
