Rishi Sunak calls for national prostate cancer screening
In his first major intervention since standing down as prime minister, Mr Sunak calls for targeted screening, so those with higher risk of the disease such as those with a family history of it undergo checks.
The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) is currently considering whether to roll out screening.
Experts believe there is a growing case for targeted screening, meaning that PSA blood tests would be offered to those at heightened risk of the disease.
Writing for The Telegraph, Mr Sunak urges the UK NSC to make the leap – and to do so 'without delay'.
In the meantime, he urges all men to use Father's Day this Sunday as an opportunity to talk to their fathers about their health.
The MP, who recently became an ambassador for charity Prostate Cancer Research, writes: 'On Father's Day, many of us will call our dads for a chat. We'll discuss many things: the news, sport, the family. But few of us will touch on our health.
'For we men aren't very good at addressing that: I am the son of a GP but even me and my dad don't talk enough about health. In fact he's had a test, but it took him a while to get round to it. It's not that the topic is taboo, more that it never seems quite the right moment to ask a delicate question.
'But talking about health with your dad, and particularly the misconceptions around prostate cancer, could save their life. It is one of the best things you could do this Father's Day, and a true act of love'.
Although one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes, polling has found only 7 per cent of men know that the disease is symptomless in its early stages.
Mr Sunak warns too many men were leaving it 'dangerously late' to seek help, only coming forward when symptoms such as pain or blood in urine began to show.
He says: 'The cancer will almost certainly be advanced at this point, and treatment far less certain to succeed. This ignorance is costing lives. It is why we need a targeted national screening programme to make sure that the right men are being checked at the right time for the disease. If we can make this happen, we can save thousands of lives.'
Mr Sunak adds that since becoming an ambassador for the charity: 'What has really struck me in this time is how alien it is for men to proactively ask to be checked for a disease. Our assumption is that if everything is working fine, it is fine.
'When I raise prostate cancer and the need to get checked, men regularly tell me that everything is functioning down there, so they don't need a test. But that is not right: and this confusion is costing lives.'
The UK NSC is expected to make a decision by the end of this year.
Its members are considering different models, with discussions about the definition of close relatives if a family history becomes part of the criteria for targeted screening.
As well as family history, risk factors also include ethnic group – with one in four black men diagnosed with the disease.
Many experts in prostate cancer are calling for the 'dangerous' guidelines to be changed, so that younger men with a family history of prostate cancer such as Sir Chris Hoy can be tested for the disease.
The 49-year-old, who is a six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist, was told he has two to four years to live after being diagnosed with terminal cancer that originated in his prostate.
Despite a family history of prostate cancer – which affected both his father and grandfather – he was never offered PSA tests.
In the UK prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with over 55,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Cases have risen by one quarter in the last five years.
Despite improvements in survival, over 12,000 men die from prostate cancer each year.
If prostate cancer is caught early, the chances of successful treatment are far higher. If it is detected after the disease has spread, the success rate of treatment is below 50 per cent.
Mr Sunak salutes the work of men who have spoken out about the need to get checked, saying his friend Joe Biden's diagnosis would also raise awareness.
Credit: US Network Pool via Reuters
Oliver Kemp, chief executive of Prostate Cancer Research, said the rollout of targeted screening would prevent 300 men a year from developing incurable disease.
He said: 'Every 40 minutes in the UK, a family loses a father, a grandfather, or a son to prostate cancer. This is a tragedy compounded by a postcode lottery that means a man's chances of survival can depend on where he lives.
'The current passive system, where men must know their own risk and ask for a test, is failing us and worsening health inequality across the UK. That is why Prostate Cancer Research is calling for the urgent introduction of a targeted national screening programme for men at the highest risk, including black men and those with a family history of the disease'.
Polling has found 94 per cent of GPs would back the rollout.
Mr Kemp said: 'As the UK National Screening Committee finalises its review, we call on the Government to champion this life-saving reform, which aligns perfectly with their stated mission to prioritise prevention and tackle health disparities. The time for waiting is over; the lives of thousands of men depend on this decision.'
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
‘She feels like the sister I never had': Telegraph writers on International Friendship Day
July 30 marks International Friendship Day. While another overly-Americanised celebration to many, our authors took the chance to acknowledge the professional friendships they have formed at The Telegraph and beyond over the years. Whether providing company at lunch or a sympathetic ear to gossip with over coffee, health experts are unanimous on both the mental and physical benefits to the body of long-term friendships. Zoe Jane Hindle, a functional wellness practitioner and creator of the hormone health course Busy Gal says: 'Oxytocin is the hormone that is released in response to physical touch, eye contact, emotional connection and building trust.' 'Oxytocin helps to reduce cortisol as it calms the signalling between the brain and the adrenals, it also helps regulate emotional resilience, supports progesterone production and improves sleep quality.' Nicky Keay, a hormone health expert, says that good health requires focus in three different areas: physical, mental and social. 'See friendship as a long-term investment – you should naturally lean on these friendships as you get older,' she says. Do you have a long-term friendship that has helped you through difficult times? Someone you can always rely on to brighten your day or talk about the news? Let us know in the comments. Lisa and Mick If you had told me 36 years ago that one day I would be 'in charge' of Mick Brown, I'd have been dumbfounded. I pitched up at the offices of a yet-to-be-launched paper in 1989 with ideas about being a news journalist formed from watching films. Mick was my editor and was blessed with equal amounts of brilliance, patience and charisma – coming to work was a joy, I learnt so much from him and I was heartbroken when it came to an end 18 months later. But reading Mick's work over the years, and seeing him from time to time, crystallised just what a fantastic fella he continues to be… and it was with utter delight that I saw him sitting at a desk when I arrived at The Telegraph a few years ago. Yes, in theory I'm his boss but when we sit down to discuss a feature, it's usually over lunch at the local greasy spoon with diversions into shared loves such as Steely Dan tunes, Margaret Howell knitwear and Sardinian holidays. He still makes coming to work a joy. In 1989 I was editing the features and review section of a start-up newspaper called The Sunday Correspondent. Staffing the section from scratch, and keen to find somebody attuned to a young and female audience, I interviewed a 24-year-old journalist who had been working on Elle magazine, and who arrived for the interview on a motorbike, dressed in black leathers, helmet under her arm. Quick, clever, and keen, she got the job. She is now what is described as my line-manager – a title that makes it sound as if we both work for the railways. I just call her my boss. Journalism is a carousel. Friends and colleagues come and go in your life, and often come back again. I was very happy when Lisa came back. We have much the same taste in music, films and books, and we are both passionate about journalism. She is delightful company – well, most of the time anyway – and how many people can say that about their boss? In short, we are on the same page which is a very good thing for two journalists to be. Dom and Francis Francis and I were thrown together by our wonderful pal David Knowles as co-hosts of The Telegraph's podcast Ukraine: The Latest, which has gone out every weekday since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. We tragically lost David a year ago, but Francis and I have carried on everyday from London, Ukraine and around the world, reporting the news, explaining the context and interviewing guests including presidents, military chiefs, Ukrainian rock stars, young chess prodigies in war-torn Odesa, and everyone in between. Throughout, and despite his very dodgy fashion choices, I have breathed a little easier when I knew Francis was with me, secure in the knowledge that today's broadcast would be just as good as yesterday's, and just as good as David would have produced. Despite not knowing the difference between a T-72 tank and a BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle (and, incredibly, showing not the slightest desire to have me teach him), I have come to accept Francis's idiosyncrasies with criticism that never goes beyond that which is absolutely necessary. After three years, though, I grudgingly accept that I would be lost without his steady hand, deep sense of duty and resolute spirit. I am 20 years older than Francis, but we both wish we could be the other's age and, importantly, act accordingly. I think that's why our friendship works. But he's really got to do something about those clothes. It's scary to admit, but over the past 1,200 days – roughly the length of your average medieval siege – I've spent more time with Dom Nicholls than anyone else in my life. Barely a day has passed without at least one message exchanged, and that's before you even factor in our time in recording studios, war zones, and international airports serving questionable coffee. And yet, somehow – despite routinely mocking each other's fashion choices (Dom's wardrobe appears to be inspired by a midlife crisis at a beach bar) – we've never once had a proper argument. The closest I came was in Kharkiv last year. After a night of little sleep as a result of air raids, I went to meet Dom at the station. It was late, packed, and I must have run up and down the place six times like some kind of stressed-out courier pigeon. When I finally found him, he looked as relaxed as if he'd just stepped off a cruise. I, meanwhile, was drenched in sweat and slightly feral. 'Why didn't you pick up your phone?' I demanded. 'I knew you'd find me,' he replied – which was, annoyingly, the nicest thing one friend can say to another. To an outsider, we must seem like a mismatched pair. I favour suits and ties; Dom dresses like he's heading to a barbecue. This is especially baffling given he spent 25 years in uniform – you'd think he'd have a lingering fondness for a tailored jacket. But beneath the aesthetic chaos, we share much: a sense of humour, of responsibility, and a belief that the work matters. At events, people sometimes lean in like they're about to reveal a state secret and whisper, 'Do you two actually get along?' I always say: we couldn't do this every day if we didn't. Our reporting, while a great privilege, is often emotionally exhausting – but Dom believes, as I do, that there is always hope, even in the darkest times. When we lost David, it was Dom who called to tell me. I can only imagine how hard that was for him – but I genuinely can't think of anyone I'd rather have heard it from. Samuel Johnson once wrote, 'Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier.' I know the feeling. But I count myself incredibly lucky to work so closely with one – even if I still think he shouldn't be afraid to wear a tie now and then. Laura and Rachel While far beyond cliché by this point, the siren call for all Gen Z and Millennial women by Dolly Alderton still rings true. Her musing that 'Almost everything I know about love I have learnt from my long-term female friendships' is more than apt when it comes to Laura. At the beginning of May 2023 I whipped around to an American accent coming from another desk; hardly a common occurrence in Tele Towers. That first coffee run turned into daily lunches and in the two years that have followed we have become almost inseparable. Laura came from The Times, and the US before that where she had both worked and studied. Her charming accent, a unique hybrid between the States and Leeds, has quickly become a fixture of the newsroom, bringing calm to even the most stressful of breaking news days. In the years that followed, rarely a week a has passed without at least two evenings out together at various work events or just for fun. Laura has a calm sense of self that can riddle the most complex of professional or personal trials with sagacity. Expertly deploying her specialised state-side meets British stiff-upper-lip blend in knowing exactly when emotion is, and more importantly, isn't needed, Even during Laura's secondment to Washington DC where she covered the US Election, stressful work schedules and a five-hour time difference proved no match for our daily 20-minute voice notes and FaceTimes. I even crossed the pond for the first time to visit her last December. They say of modern day friendships, that presence is a luxury. In a world of instant messages often taking president over more meaningful moments, imagine how rich I feel to spend every day together, just a few desks apart. We may both be only children, but she truly feels like the wiser, wittier sister I never had. Gordon and Christopher They say friendships forged in battle are often stronger than the bond between siblings, and you don't have to have fought in a war to know exactly how that feels. Journalism, like the Armed Forces, is a career in which adversity has to be overcome on a daily basis, as the troops (reporters) fend off the twin threats of the enemy (other news organisations) and your superiors. In both cases, it's a great way to find out who your real friends are. For nearly two decades, the person who has perhaps best fitted that description in my life is Chris Hope, with whom I have shared office space for most of my Telegraph career, both at HQ and in our cramped, stifling outpost in Parliament, reporting on everything from the MPs expenses scandal to general elections. Chris is one of those people who will always have your back both professionally and personally. Equally importantly, he also sees the funny side (and very often the sheer absurdity) of any situation and laughter is a given when Chris is around, usually at his own expense. He is now doing brilliantly as GB News's political editor, having left The Telegraph to make the switch into broadcasting, but few days go by without us contacting each other for a laugh or a gossip about what our colleagues or acquaintances have been up to. Our wives have become friends too. Another thing that's a given with Chris is trust. We can discuss anything without having to worry about it being repeated. A true friend is a safe space, and Chris is both to me. It's just a shame he supports Liverpool. Millie and Shauna We met each other at work and from the very beginning there was something easy about our connection. We only spent a short amount of time together on the same desk, but what started as a professional relationship quickly turned into something much more meaningful. We started spending more time together outside of work – grabbing coffee, venting about difficult days and becoming each other's sounding board for both personal and professional challenges. Our conversations flowed effortlessly, from work deadlines to deeper topics like family, relationships and future goals. Earlier this year, we took a leap and moved in together (along with our friend Eleanor). People might assume it would be too much to see each other every day both at work and at home, but for us, living with each other has been a continuation of the comfort we found in each other's company. In fact, we even walk home from the office together when we can. We hang out most evenings, binge-watching Girls or Sex in the City while talking through our days. On weekends, we're often out together at parties, catching up with friends, or impulse buying more table runners and vases for our beautiful new home. What makes this friendship special is the balance we've found. We support each other without judgement, challenge each other to grow and celebrate each other's wins – big or small. It's rare to find someone who understands both the demands of your job and the nuances of your personal life and we feel lucky to have found that in each other. Our friendship is a reminder that some of the best relationships begin in the most ordinary places and can evolve into something truly valuable and lasting. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
8 liver-friendly foods to add to your diet, as majority of cancer cases preventable
Want to look after your liver better? These eight foods could help. We all know the importance of eating healthily for our heart, gut, and brain – but there are some foods that are especially beneficial for your liver health, too. Despite the liver's status as a vital organ that performs a number of important bodily functions, including removing toxins and fighting infection, it's easy to forget about looking after it. But recent statistics highlight the importance of prioritising your liver health. Experts say that three in five liver cancer cases "are linked to preventable risk factors, mostly viral hepatitis, alcohol and obesity", but have raised concerns that cases caused by alcohol and obesity will increase in the coming years. According to The Telegraph, scientists predict that, by 2050, around 21% of liver cancers will be caused by alcohol and 11% will be caused by a severe form of fatty liver disease, which occurs when excessive fat builds up in the vital organ. Last year, analysis by Cancer Research UK revealed that the number of people dying from liver cancer had almost doubled in the last 20 years. The disease is now responsible for the deaths of 58,000 people in the UK each year, twice the rate recorded in the late 1990s. Cancer Research UK said the figure is projected to continue rising by a further 10% by 2040, warning that liver cancer will have killed around 135,000 people by then. While part of the rise in deaths has been driven by a growing British population, lifestyle factors also play a major role. Katrina Brown, senior statistics manager at Cancer Research UK, told The Independent that around half of all cases are preventable. Drinking alcohol and smoking are key drivers of the increasing number of cases, as well as being overweight or obese. Brown added: "The notable thing for liver cancer is overweight and obesity is a key risk factor, and that has been steadily increasing in the UK – around two-thirds of UK adults are overweight and obese." The number of people who have died with an underlying cause of liver disease in England has also risen in recent years. According to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), this figure rose to 10,127 from 9,218 in 2019, increasing further to 10,521 cases in 2021. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is important to protect your liver and keep it in good shape for longer. Certain foods have been found to enhance liver function, while others can help prevent or reverse liver damage, according to various studies. Here are eight liver-friendly foods to incorporate into your daily diet: 1. Leafy greens Leafy greens like spinach and kale are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, which can help protect the liver from oxidative damage. A 2019 study found that the chlorophyll in leafy greens also have detoxifying properties, which can help reduce liver toxicity. 2. Garlic While the phrase 'there's no such thing as too much garlic' may not be strictly true, eating garlic does come with health benefits. Garlic contains sulfur compounds that improve liver enzyme activity, as well as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can reduce oxidative stress in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, one study suggested. 3. Beetroot Bright red beetroot is known to help with high blood pressure, as it's rich with dietary nitrates. This root vegetable also contains betalains, a type of antioxidant, and compounds that may support liver detoxification by increasing the liver's production of detoxifying enzymes. 4. Turmeric Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. A clinical trial published in the journal Hepatology showed that curcumin supplementation reduced liver inflammation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. 5. Green tea A 2006 study, published in the International Journal of Molecular Medicine found that green tea extract improved liver function and reduced fat accumulation in the organ. This is believed to be thanks to the antioxidants called catechins that green tea is rich in. 6. Cruciferous vegetables Cruciferous vegetables refer to vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower. They are rich in fibre and vitamins, as well as glucosinolates, which researchers believe stimulate the production of detoxifying enzymes in the liver and protect against oxidative damage. 7. Lentils and beans Experts often sing the praises of lentils and beans as a nutritious source of fibre and protein that is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. But that's not all – the high fibre content in lentils and beans can contribute to helping reduce liver fat accumulation and improving liver function. 8. Artichokes Researchers published a study in Phytotherapy Research that found artichoke extract, which contains cynarin, can aid in improving liver function. Cynarin is a compound known to stimulate bile production, which can helps with the detoxification process and protects liver cells. Read more about diet and nutrition: I'm a nutritionist on a budget and here's how I get my five-a-day for much less (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read) 9 cheap, healthy and easy meal ideas with less than 6 ingredients (Yahoo Life UK, 9-min read) 5 ultra-processed foods you shouldn't stop eating (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
Medscape
24-07-2025
- Medscape
Family History Shapes Psoriatic Disease Onset in PsA
TOPLINE: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who had a family history of psoriatic disease were diagnosed with psoriasis and PsA earlier and showed more entheseal involvement than those without such family history. METHODOLOGY: Researchers enrolled 843 patients with PsA (mean age, 50.8 years; 50.6% men; 76.4% White individuals) from the New York University (NYU) Psoriatic Arthritis Center and associated clinics in an observational, longitudinal registry to study familial aggregation and differences in disease onset and phenotype. They collected data on demographics, medical and family history, and psoriatic phenotype and activity. Patients were categorized on the basis of family history, with 379 participants having one or more first-degree or second-degree relatives with psoriatic disease (301 had relatives with psoriasis, and 78 had relatives with PsA) and 464 having no history. Disease measures included the age at which psoriasis and PsA were diagnosed, types and locations of psoriasis, and areas affected by PsA. TAKEAWAY: Patients with a family history of psoriatic disease were diagnosed with psoriasis and PsA earlier than those without (mean age, 27.6 vs 32.2 years and 37.6 vs 40.3 years, respectively; P < .01 for both). Patients with first-degree or second-degree relatives with PsA were diagnosed with psoriasis and PsA earlier than those with relatives with psoriasis alone or no family history (P < .01 and P = .01, respectively). Patients with a family history of psoriatic disease were more likely to have a history of enthesitis than those without (36.7% vs 30.0%; P < .05) and active enthesitis at baseline (30.1% vs 21.6%; P < .01). The transition time between the diagnosis of psoriasis and PsA was longer among patients with two or more first-degree or second-degree relatives than among those with only one relative or those with no family history (mean time to diagnosis, 14.1 vs 8.0 vs 8.8 years; P < .01). IN PRACTICE: 'Additional studies integrating molecular and immune features are needed to elucidate how genetic, environmental, and epigenetic elements influence the progression from psoriasis to PsA, as well as PsA's clinical presentation, severity, and therapeutic response,' the authors of the study wrote. SOURCE: The study was led by Catherine Howe, MD, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City. It was published online on July 14, 2025, in Arthritis & Rheumatology. LIMITATIONS: The study relied on patient-reported data for age of diagnosis and family history, which may introduce potential recall bias and underdiagnosis of mild cases. Having a family history may not equate to genetic burden. The lack of a uniform baseline visit for all patients with PsA may affect the assessment of disease activity. DISCLOSURES: This study was funded by grants to authors from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the NYU Colton Center for Autoimmunity, the Rheumatology Research Foundation, the National Psoriasis Foundation, and other sources. Two authors reported receiving support from an Institutional National Research Service Award and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Some authors reported receiving consulting fees from or serving on advisory boards for pharmaceutical companies that market drugs for psoriatic disease. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
