Conflicting Guidance on Prostate Cancer Screening Linked to Delayed Diagnosis, Widow Claims
A woman whose husband died of prostate cancer is speaking out against what she calls “deadly” mixed messages surrounding prostate cancer screening in the UK. Pat Sharpe, of Wandsworth, London, believes her husband delayed seeking a PSA blood test due to concerns about its reliability and potential for unnecessary treatment, ultimately leading to a late-stage diagnosis and his death less then three years later at age 68.
Sharpe’s criticism follows recent reporting by The Guardian (November 28, 2025) detailing an expert panel’s recommendation against widespread prostate cancer screening. While Cancer Research UK ”supports” this conclusion, citing insufficient evidence of benefit, other experts advocate for earlier diagnosis. Dr. Jayne Spink of Prostate cancer Research emphasized that “many men don’t come forward as prostate cancer frequently enough has no symptoms in the early stages, and some don’t realize they are at higher risk,” resulting in diagnoses at advanced, incurable stages.
Sharpe questions how the potential “harms” of screening could outweigh the risk of dying unnecessarily. She fears the current publicity, intended to raise awareness, will instead discourage men from seeking testing due to the conflicting information.The chair of the Royal College of GPs continues to advocate discussing the “risks and benefits of conducting a PSA [prostate specific antigen] test” with patients.
