LivingCare Group engaged to support major prostate cancer screening trial
Mar 13, 2026
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Published on
14/3/2026
The LivingCare Group
Did you know that prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in UK men? NICE reports that the risk of dying from prostate cancer is 1 in 24 for White men. For Black men, it’s 1 in 12; and 1 in 44 for Asian men.
Even though there are over 55,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer every year, there is still no automatic national screening programme inviting men for routine, non-invasive testing.
For men searching for prostate screening in Sheffield or wondering why no NHS prostate screening programme exists when the cancer is so prevalent, the answer lies in the complexity of the PSA test and the risks of overdiagnosis.
In national screening programmes, such as bowel cancer and breast cancer screening, the benefits outweigh the risks. In prostate cancer, that balance is more complicated.
In 2025, the UK National Screening Committee advised against routine screening with the PSA blood test. They also advised against screening programmes for Black men or those with relevant family history due to uncertainties in the data. However, they are reviewing recommendations for a screening program for men with the confirmed BRCA gene variant.
The reason a prostate cancer screening policy is not advised is that population-wide PSA testing could lead to invasive and unnecessary biopsies, overdiagnosis or treatment for slow-growing prostate cancers that wouldn’t cause serious harm.
PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen; a protein produced by the prostate gland. When there is a rise in PSA levels, it can indicate cancer, but not always. Sometimes the levels are raised due to benign enlargement, inflammation or infection.
The test can cause false positives. Some men with raised PSA do not have cancer, so this may lead to anxiety and further testing.
Men with normal PSA levels may still have cancer. If the PSA test is the source of truth, some cancers may get missed.
PSA testing can detect slow-growing cancers. These cancers may never cause harm during a man’s lifetime. Treating these cancers can lead to more problems, such as urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction. Prostate Cancer UK found that 5,000 men a year are getting treatment they don’t need.
The UK uses an informed-choice approach rather than routine invitations to PSA testing. PSA testing is offered to men over 50 or to those over 45 with significant risk factors.
Cancer Research UK reports that almost all men diagnosed at stage 1 survive the cancer for five years or more. Early detection saves lives.
If the PSA test detects cancer, a multiparametric MRI can improve diagnostic accuracy. The MRI can distinguish between aggressive cancers that require treatment and slow-growing cancers that a healthcare team can monitor. This imaging-led pathway is increasingly recommended before a biopsy.
Certain groups have a significantly higher risk of prostate cancer.
Understanding prostate cancer risk factors is critical when deciding whether to book a PSA test.
Men over 50 can request PSA tests through their GP after discussing the risks and benefits.
For faster reassurance and access to state-of-the-art imaging, LivingCare offers private prostate screening in Leeds and Sheffield.
LivingCare delivers evidence-based prostate assessment with experienced consultants. We offer:
The absence of a national screening programme reflects the complexity of the PSA test and the need for informed decisions on an individual basis.
For men over 50, particularly those with higher risk factors, understanding the benefits and risks is key.
LivingCare provides fast access to consultant-led prostate screening in Sheffield and Leeds. With access to PSA testing and advanced imaging, we make clear, evidence-based decisions.
