Sir Mike Richards

In one of the most controversial clinical decisions of recent times, the UK National Screening Committee has ruled against the mass screening of men for prostate cancer. 

In their latest podcast Niall and Roy question the committee’s Chair, Sir Mike Richards, and seek to understand a decision which has been challenged by former Prime Ministers, high profile patients with prostate cancer such as Sir Chris Hoy, as well as other celebrities. The committee even rejected the idea of screening black men who have double the risk of developing prostate cancer, men with a general family history, & even some with certain genetic factors.

Sir Mike is a former consultant oncologist who became the national cancer tsar & brought about major improvements in the diagnosis & treatment of the disease across the UK.  But when it comes to prostate cancer, while he supports the idea that men who want to have a PSA test should be allowed to have one, he argues that, based on current evidence, a screening programme would do more harm than good.  

This is a complex area which is developing all the time & he concedes that as our understanding grows & as treatment and testing develop, the case for screening may be made. He is also adamant that this is not one of those clinical decisions based on cost.

If you are with or without a view on this topic, do join Niall, Roy and Mike, & like men all over the country, make up your own mind as they explore this delicate & difficult topic.  

It’s a great listen – find it now wherever you find your podcasts.