NHS is over-treating men for prostate cancer, says charity
Summary
A charity claims that the NHS is treating too many men with prostate cancer who do not need it, with about 5,000 men undergoing unnecessary procedures each year. The charity suggests that more men with low-risk prostate cancer could choose regular monitoring instead of immediate treatment. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is reviewing its guidelines related to prostate cancer treatment and monitoring.Key Facts
- Around 56,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in the UK.
- Approximately 6,500 men currently choose monitoring over immediate treatment.
- The charity Prostate Cancer UK says an additional 5,000 men could avoid treatment.
- NICE guidelines recommend monitoring for the lowest risk cases.
- Monitoring includes regular blood tests and scans.
- Prostate Cancer UK found some hospitals do not offer monitoring broadly enough.
- Patient choice impacts the decision to undergo treatment or choose monitoring.
- The PSA blood test, used for screening, is considered unreliable by some.
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