A lancashire Member of Parliament is calling for increased prostate cancer screening rates after revealing he recently underwent a PSA test himself.
Lancashire MP, Foster, emphasized the importance of early detection, noting that prostate cancer can be symptomless in its early stages. he highlighted concerning statistics showing that one in four men in Lancashire are not currently being tested for the disease, a rate he described as “really poor” and in need of urgent betterment.
The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland located at the base of the bladder, which naturally increases in size with age. However, uncontrolled cell growth can lead to cancer. More than 58,000 men across England received a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2024, according to the National Prostate Cancer Audit.
“We really, really need to champion the PSA test, it’s a simple blood test,” Foster stated. “The treatments have improved dramatically over the last few years, and it’s all about early diagnosis.”
Dave Riley, from East Lancashire Prostate Cancer Support, explained that men over 50 are eligible for annual testing through the NHS.However, he added, “you can get checked privately from age 40 for about £25.”
East Lancashire Prostate Cancer Support has facilitated over 3,000 tests in the last decade, and encourages annual screenings. “We’re trying to do as many tests as we can,” Riley told BBC Radio Lancashire.
