Prostate Cancer UK Warns Against Inaccurate At-Home Tests

Prostate Cancer UK has raised alarms about the growing popularity of at-home PSA self-testing kits, which can yield inconsistent and inaccurate results, potentially leading to false reassurance or unnecessary anxiety among users. A recent BBC investigation highlighted the unreliable nature of these tests, with one out of five returning a false positive result despite using the same blood sample. There is currently no national screening program in the UK for prostate cancer, placing the responsibility on men over 50 to request PSA blood tests from their GPs, which are considered more reliable. The need for improved screening is underscored by the rising incidence of prostate cancer, which sees approximately 55,000 new cases each year in the UK. Experts argue that advances in screening technology could lead to better early detection and reduced treatment costs if a national program were established. High-profile cases, such as Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy’s diagnosis, have increased public interest in prostate cancer testing.