Prostate cancer screening should not be offered to most men
Prostate cancer screening should not be offered to most men
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Discussion

cirian75

Original Poster:

5,242 posts

256 months

Friday 28th November 2025
quotequote all
Its only one the largest killers of men over the age of 50, and the largest cancer cause of death cancer of men over 50.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm20169gz44o

BikeBikeBIke

13,496 posts

138 months

Friday 28th November 2025
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The NHS find it convenient for men to die because it's cheaper for them and they reckon we won't complain much.

Out of my fathers generation in our village out 6 out of 8 died of Prostate cancer. Every single one in good shape in every other way living active lives. We're told this is a disease of extreme old age. It's not.

borcy

10,288 posts

79 months

Friday 28th November 2025
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That article seems fairly convincing that current testing isn't worth it.

souper

2,457 posts

234 months

Friday 28th November 2025
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Just been listening to Talk Radio, and a chap came on and said China tests their men once a year for prostate/psa, if so the UK is falling so far behind.

BikeBikeBIke

13,496 posts

138 months

Friday 28th November 2025
quotequote all
borcy said:
That article seems fairly convincing that current testing isn't worth it.
I think there are 4 other cancers where screening would be far more effective than a PSA test which isn't really cancer screening.

But Britain doesn't do those either....

Bonefish Blues

34,578 posts

246 months

Friday 28th November 2025
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Ah yes, but if I have either of two genetic abnormalities I can get tested. But not to see whether I carry the abnormal genes. Please tell me I have misunderstood this.

Edited by Bonefish Blues on Friday 28th November 19:51

Arnold Cunningham

4,498 posts

276 months

Friday 28th November 2025
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Clearly just cost cutting.

BikeBikeBIke

13,496 posts

138 months

Friday 28th November 2025
quotequote all
Arnold Cunningham said:
Clearly just cost cutting.
Yeah, I think "More or Less" covered this. The guest Doctor gave all the false logic about why people should not get PSA tests. Then at the end, as an aside, he mentioned that the NHS couldn't handle the extra work. So I think we can safely that that's the real reason. Men dying at 71 is very good for the NHS so they're making it happen.

Arnold Cunningham

4,498 posts

276 months

Friday 28th November 2025
quotequote all
I happened to have an appointment in the ophthalmology department of the local hospital today. I'm 50 - but looked like I was one of the youngest there.

cirian75

Original Poster:

5,242 posts

256 months

Friday 28th November 2025
quotequote all
I had the colon cancer scare at 48

Thank bob it was clear, but I know two people only a few years older than me who had colon cancer, one left it ages until getting it checked out...............and it was too late.

The other having seen the other die of colon cancer had been feeling a it little off, got tested and it was positive but it was caught very early saving his life.

Bluevanman

9,348 posts

216 months

Friday 28th November 2025
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The psa test is unreliable and often misleading,how can that be the basis of screening ?
And I say that as someone who has an enlarged prostate and who's brother has recently had his prostate removed because of cancer which has now spread to elsewhere in his body.
There needs to be developed a more accurate way to diagnose the disease before it can be introduced as a national screening test

KAgantua

5,099 posts

154 months

Friday 28th November 2025
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Beginning to hate this country

Alpacaman

1,064 posts

264 months

Friday 28th November 2025
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While I understand the limitations of the PSA test and the risk of false positives, it seems the best we have currently and surely is just an indicator that further tests are needed. I am in a high risk category, over 50 with a close family member who had prostate cancer (my Dad had it when he died, but it wasn't the cause of his death). Yet the Nurse at my GP practice has said they won't do PSA tests unless I have symptoms by which time it could be too late. While I understand the reasoning behind todays decision I do find it frustrating, especially when people like Sir Chris Hoy go on TV telling people to get tested but the NHS won't do the tests.

Yahonza

3,430 posts

53 months

Friday 28th November 2025
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There are several large scale clinical trials underway in the UK to ascertain the best method to screen for prostate cancer. The decision announced today seems lazy, premature, and uninformed - and at worst unprofessional considering the serious work already in progress. Given the large number of deaths every year due to prostate cancer, it seems political rather than evidence based. Shameful TBH and very much lacking in any situational awareness.

BunkMoreland

3,525 posts

30 months

Friday 28th November 2025
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No one cares about Men or their longevity

As long as you understand that. You wont get upset by it

Terminator X

19,528 posts

227 months

Saturday 29th November 2025
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I get the PSA test every few years via a charity so not the NHS. It's free albeit there are people there collecting for the charity. Mine have been green so far albeit my BIL tested orange, got further tests and it was all ok. A mate scored a very high red and it was incurable.

TX.

richhead

2,933 posts

34 months

Saturday 29th November 2025
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i am adopted so have no idea about family history, therefore i wont be tested under the proposed rules.
what do i do?

SlimJim16v

7,502 posts

166 months

Saturday 29th November 2025
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There are new more accurate tests, the PSE and another. I know you can get the PSE privately.

rodericb

8,518 posts

149 months

Saturday 29th November 2025
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Dismantle the patriarchy!

272BHP

6,705 posts

259 months

Saturday 29th November 2025
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BunkMoreland said:
No one cares about Men or their longevity

As long as you understand that. You wont get upset by it
But do you care? Any man over the age of 50 should have taken ownership of their own health years ago. It is better to do this stuff on your own anyway if you can possibly afford it.

The PSA test for example can be ordered privately today for £35 quid with a Black Friday deal.