Pressure is mounting on the UK government to establish a national screening programme for prostate cancer, the most common cancer among men in the country. This call to action is supported by over 120 MPs and is underscored by the harrowing personal experience of patients like Kevin Kibble, who received a terminal diagnosis after his cancer was detected too late.
A Terminal Diagnosis: One Man's Story
Kevin Kibble is one of approximately 55,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK each year. He received his diagnosis in 2023, despite displaying no obvious symptoms. The disease had already spread, meaning he will now live with it for the rest of his life. "I will live with it as long as I possibly can - but will die from it," Mr Kibble told Sky News's The UK Tonight With Sarah-Jane Mee, describing his prognosis as terminal.
Mr Kibble fell into a high-risk category due to being over 50 and having a significant family history of cancer. "Both my sister and my mother died from breast cancer, and my mother's brother had died from prostate cancer," he explained, adding that he was unaware of the links between these cancers. He believes that greater public awareness could encourage more men to get tested, potentially saving lives.
Cross-Party Political Pressure for Change
The campaign for a national screening programme has gained substantial political traction. A cross-party group of more than 120 MPs, including former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has written to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, urging him to introduce a formal scheme. The push was further amplified when another former PM, Lord David Cameron, revealed he had undergone treatment for the disease.
In their letter, the MPs highlighted stark health inequalities, noting that men living in the most deprived areas are the most likely to die from prostate cancer. The disease also disproportionately affects Black men and those with a family history of prostate, breast, or ovarian cancer.
The Screening Debate and a Simple Solution
The UK's National Screening Committee is currently assessing the viability of a nationwide programme. A primary concern has historically been the accuracy of the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test. However, advocates argue that medical advancements have addressed these issues.
Rishi Sunak, who serves as a Prostate Cancer Research ambassador, stated unequivocally: "The evidence is now clear. Modern diagnosis is safer, more accurate, and has removed the harms that once justified inaction."
For now, the NHS advises that men over 50 can request a PSA test from their GP. Kevin Kibble urges men, especially those in high-risk groups, to take this simple step. "If you're in a high-risk group, you should be tested at least once a year. And men over 50 should be tested once a year anyway," he said. He also pointed to a quick online risk assessment that takes just 30 seconds.
His message to the public is simple and powerful: "You're entitled to a test - go and get one."
