Yesterday, 26/10/26 Parliament heard your call for better prostate cancer screening.

Yesterday, Parliament heard your call for better prostate cancer screening. Thanks to you and thousands of others across the country, MPs gathered in large numbers in Parliament yesterday to debate the urgent need to improve early diagnosis of prostate cancer. And one thing was unmistakably clear: support for change is growing, across political parties and across the country. We were encouraged by the number of MPs who attended, and by the strength of their contributions. Politicians from across the political spectrum spoke passionately about the men and families affected by prostate cancer, challenged the evidence behind current screening policy, and pressed the Government to do more. You can watch the full parliamentary debate here ⁠https://www.youtube.com/live/Zgc9w0F3EUc  and hear for yourself how MPs from across the political spectrum made the case for change. This debate happened because people like you refused to let this issue be ignored. More than 100,000 people signed the parliamentary petition, adding their voices to the more than 250,000 signatures gathered across our two other petitions. Together, you’ve helped put prostate cancer screening firmly on the political agenda. So, what did the Government say? There was some welcome news. Minister Dame Diana Johnson confirmed that despite the withdrawal of the Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme (PCRMP) in August, Government policy on PSA testing has not changed and said it was her understanding that men who have had an informed discussion with their GP about the benefits and risks of a PSA test, and still wish to have one, should be able to access it, even if they have no symptoms. This matters, particularly following recent uncertainty about the guidance available to GPs and patients. We will be pressing the Government to ensure that this assurance is reflected in clear, written guidance that is applied consistently across the NHS. But on the bigger question of screening, the Government’s response was disappointing. Despite the strength of feeling in Parliament, ministers made no new commitments to accountability or transparency around the screening model used to deny men at higher risk. Nor did they provide a clear timetable for when a decision might be reconsidered as new evidence emerges. That is simply not good enough. Too many men are still diagnosed when their cancer has already spread and can no longer be cured. We cannot afford to lose momentum while families continue to face the devastating consequences of late diagnosis. What happens next? Yesterday’s debate was an important milestone, but it was never going to be the end of our campaign. We will keep pushing for greater scrutiny of the evidence underpinning screening decisions, a clear timetable for reviewing new research, and a commitment to expand screening as soon as the evidence supports it. We will also work with the MPs who spoke so powerfully yesterday to make sure the Government is held to account for its response. And we will continue making the case for a national screening programme that gives men the best possible chance of having their cancer detected early, when treatment is more likely to be successful. You helped get us this far. And we need you with us for what comes next. Thank you for signing, sharing, writing to your MP and standing alongside the thousands of men and families affected by prostate cancer. Yesterday’s debate proved that our collective voice is being heard. Now we need to turn that support into action. With thanks, David James Director of Patient Projects & Influencing Prostate Cancer Research