Recently, big names like former prime minister Rishi Sunak, cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, and director Sir Steve McQueen called for targeted prostate cancer screening aimed at men deemed to be at high risk of developing the disease. At the moment, the NHS does not offer routine tests which could help to check for things like prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate. However, anyone over 50 years of age with a prostate can ask their GP for a PSA test, whether they have signs of prostate issues or not. Prostate Cancer Research , a charity of which Sunak is a patron, said that doctors should start proactive conversations about prostate cancer risk and discuss the option of screenings with Black men and/or men with a family history of prostate cancer. Black men face double the risk of prostate cancer compared to white men, while those with a family history of the condition also have an increased risk. Expanding and targeting screening, Sunak told the BBC, could “save countless lives”. Sir Chris Hoy, who has stage 4 prostate cancer , is calling for earlier checks too. But some experts say it’s not that simple and stress more research is needed to determine the value of earlier screening. Professor Hashim Ahmed, Chair of Urology at Imperial College, told the BBC : “The problem is we can often find disease that doesn’t need to be treated and we end up causing harm... and my concern at the moment is that harm-to-benefit equation isn’t quite right.” We asked Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor , for her thoughts on lowering the age for prostate cancer screenings. It’s “complex” “As a GP, I can appreciate why there is interest in lowering the age for prostate screenings, but the issue is more complex than it might first appear,” the doctor told HuffPost UK. Dr Wylie does agree that “for men with higher risk factors, earlier discussion with their GP about PSA testing can be appropriate”. At the moment, Prostate Cancer Research said, GPs are “told not to raise the subject of prostate cancer with men unless they have symptoms”. Per the doctor, “currently, the NHS generally invites men over 50, or 45 if they are at higher risk, such as those with a strong family history or of Black African or Caribbean heritage” to discuss prostate cancer with their GP, “because the balance of benefits and harms tends to be more favourable in these groups”. Some research has highlighted healthcare inequalities for Black men seeking prostate cancer treatment. This demographic has less access to PSA screening and experiences longer delays between diagnosis and treatment, a 2022 paper found . But lowering the age of screening for the general population, rather than targeting those most at risk, is another matter altogether, Dr Wylie told us. “Lowering the screening age for all men could result in many being treated unnecessarily, with limited improvement in overall survival,” she said. “Prostate cancer is often slow-growing, and many men may never experience symptoms or have their life shortened by the disease. “Screening with the PSA test can detect cancers early, but it also carries significant risks of overdiagnosis and overtreatment, which can lead to unnecessary biopsies, anxiety, incontinence, or sexual dysfunction.” The doctor thinks we’d need compelling evidence to implement a population-wide change Some cases of prostate cancer are so slow-growing, patients can opt for regular monitoring instead of invasive procedures. This is called active surveillance . These very slow-growing cancers may never cause harm . In fact, Prostate Cancer UK said earlier this year that an estimated 5,000 men a year get unnecessary, and sometimes disruptive, treatment for prostate cancer that could be managed through monitoring. However, the charity sees this as a reason to expand and improve screening. That way, cases can be dealt with appropriately within an ideal timeframe. And while the charity calls the implementation of prostate screening a “balancing act,” it adds that improved testing (including the increased use of MRI scans) might make it more accurate. “Ultimately, any decision to lower the age for population-wide screening would require robust evidence showing that the benefits clearly outweigh the harms, alongside careful consideration of resources and patient education,” Dr Wylie ended. According to the NHS, you should see your doctor if you’re over 50, are Black, or have a family history of prostate cancer and are worried about your risk. You should also see your GP if you are experiencing symptoms of prostate cancer, including trouble urinating. Related... Cystitis May Be Linked To Cancer In Midlife, New Study Finds 4 Foods A GI Surgeon Eats Every Day To Ward Off Bowel Cancer 5 Pee Changes A Cancer Doctor Would Never, Ever Ignore