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UK government recommends against compulsory prostate cancer screening programme

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Prostate cancer kills 12,000 men a year

In a draft recommendation, experts in the say a compulsory screening programme for prostate cancer "is likely to cause more harm than good".

The UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) says it could lead to unnecessary treatments.

Under new guidance, it says only men with increased risks due to certain genetic mutations are to be offered regular checks.

The decision has received a mixed reaction, with some campaigners appalled, but others saying the current tests available aren't targeted enough.

More than 63,000 men are diagnosed with the disease every year, and 12,000 men die as a result.
Oliver Kemp from Prostate Cancer Research says fears over unnecessary interventions are no longer relevant.

Earlier this week, we spoke to the Chairman of the Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association, Malcolm Clague.

He says advanced blood testing methods currently in the trial phase look more promising:

You can hear more HERE.

 

 

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