Prostate test could save 2,000 lives every year

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

A major European study found that death rates from the disease could be reduced by about 20per cent by national screening. If deaths from prostate cancer in the UK were cut by a fifth about 2,000 lives would be saved each year.

The Prostate Cancer Charity said the policy not to fund NHS prostate cancer screening should now be revisited.

Chief executive John Neate said: "We are calling for the UK National Screening Committee to conduct a rapid review of this new evidence and its implications for current practice in the UK and to publish its findings."

The argument against prostate cancer screening based on the prostate specific antigen blood marker is that it is unreliable and can lead to men being wrongly diagnosed and treated. PSA may be raised in men without cancer, or appear relatively normal in men with the disease.

Many prostate cancers are also slow growing and not likely to pose a threat in a man's remaining lifetime. Diagnosing these cancers can lead to unnecessary worry and excessive treatment.

The results of the European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer were published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.