UK government changes prostate cancer testing guidance for men over 50

New government guidance has removed the automatic entitlement for men over 50 to receive free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests, even in the absence of symptoms. Under the revised policy, general practitioners (GPs) are now responsible for deciding which patients should receive the screening.

The decision follows a move to reject widespread screening in favor of a narrow program targeting a small group of men with specific genetic risks, such as the BRCA2 gene variant and relevant family histories.

High-profile figures, including Jeremy Clarkson, Lord David Cameron, and Sir Chris Hoy, have criticized the change. Clarkson, who recently shared his own diagnosis and remission, stated on social media that he “cannot for the life of me work out” the reasoning behind withdrawing the right to testing. Former Prime Minister Lord Cameron described the policy as “yet another step backwards,” emphasizing that early detection through testing is essential for successful treatment.