Prostate cancer screening urgently needed, says Rishi Sunak

Prostate Cancer Research estimates the screening programme, which would involve an MRI scan, a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test and a biopsy, would cost £25m a year - or about £18 per patient - similar to bowel and breast cancer screening.

It assumes 20% of eligible men - of which there are an estimated 1.3 million in the UK - would be invited annually, with a 72% uptake rate. Diagnostic activity (scans and biopsies) would need to rise by 23%, with only a modest increase in NHS staffing, the charity says.

The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland at the base of the bladder that naturally grows with age, but can sometimes become cancerous when cells grow in an uncontrolled way. Prostate cancer can be symptomless in the early stages.

Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy, who has advanced prostate cancer, is advocating for earlier checks.

He wants the age threshold for requesting a PSA blood test lowered. Currently, it is not routinely offered to men without symptoms who are under 50.

The PSA test is controversial, though. Levels can rise for reasons other than cancer, such as infections, leading to false positives. Critics say this can result in unnecessary treatment and side effects.

According to the report authors, the benefits of introducing targeted screening for those at the highest risk outweigh the financial and logistical costs.

Professor Hashim Ahmed, Chair of Urology at Imperial College, says more research is needed to determine the potential value of screening.

"The problem is we can often find disease that doesn't need to be treated and we end up causing harm...and my concern at the moment is that harm to benefit equation isn't quite right."

Potential side effects of prostate cancer treatment are incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

Patient voices are helping to shape the debate. On a recent visit to a prostate cancer clinic at Guy's Hospital in London, Sunak met 66-year-old David Bateman.

He was diagnosed with the cancer at the age of 59 after asking for a PSA test, and was told it had spread to his pelvis.

Mr Bateman has since been given chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment but cannot be cured. He supports screening for those who are potentially vulnerable.

"That is very important to me because of my sons – they are 38 and 40 – I want them checked as soon as possible. If I had been screened at 50, I am sure I wouldn't be in the position I am today," he said.