AQW 9251/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 20/03/2024
Answered On Date: 05/04/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health what plans he has to (i) make PSA tests routine as part of blood tests being taken by men over 50-years-old; and (ii) lower the age at which these tests are carried out, particularly for those with a family history of early-onset prostate cancer.

Answer:

There are no plans to make PSA test routine as part of blood tests taken by men over 50 years old. The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent scientific committee which advises the UK Health Ministers, does not currently recommend screening for prostate cancer.

This is because the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test is not accurate enough to detect prostate cancer that needs treatment. It can falsely identify men who do not have prostate cancer. It can also miss some cancers. This means that many men might have to undergo unnecessary and often unpleasant tests and/or unnecessary treatment.

It is currently unclear if other tests such as an MRI scan, with or without PSA, are accurate enough. Research is looking at whether a method for predicting prostate cancer risk using a combination of a blood test and other information about a man could be more accurate. But more studies are necessary to confirm the early results. My department will continue to be guided by the UK NSC’s recommendations on proposals for screening programmes.

Anyone with symptoms which may be related to the prostate gland should contact their GP.