By Talking Health TV –

Campaigners call on the NHS to update outdated prostate cancer guidance that is putting lives at risk

Black men across the UK are facing a deadly and preventable health crisis. One in four Black men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime, and they are twice as likely to die from it compared to other men.

But a simple, routine blood test, the PSA test, could catch the disease early when it’s most treatable.

So why is this life-saving test not being offered?

That’s the urgent question at the heart of a powerful campaign led by Prostate Cancer UK, which this week delivered a 10,000-strong petition to the government demanding action.

The message is clear: update NHS guidelines so GPs can proactively offer Black men the PSA blood test.

The Hidden Killer in the Community

Under current NHS guidance, GPs are advised not to discuss or offer PSA tests unless a patient presents symptoms. But early-stage prostate cancer is notorious for having no symptoms at all.

By the time signs do appear, it may be too late for curative treatment, a fact that continues to cost Black men their lives.

This system, campaigners argue, is outdated and discriminatory. Black men are:

• More likely to be diagnosed late

• Less likely to receive the best treatments

• Dying from a disease that could have been caught early

A Simple, Sensible Fix

Prostate Cancer UK’s proposal is straightforward: Give GPs the green light to talk to Black men about their increased risk and offer the PSA test before symptoms arise.

No additional funding. No complicated overhaul. Just a sensible update to reflect current evidence and save lives.

Backers of the campaign include public figures like Les Ferdinand, Floella Benjamin, Omar Lye-Fook, and Daniel Dubois, as well as politicians determined to push this change through.

Voices Demanding Action

Calvin Bailey MP, who helped deliver the campaign letter, said: “1 in 4 Black men will get prostate cancer, and they’re more likely to die from it. This change isn’t complicated—it’s rooted in evidence, and it will save lives.”

Josh Babarinde MP added: “Early prostate cancer rarely shows symptoms. We must ensure Black men aren’t left behind. This guideline change can happen tomorrow—and it must.”

What You Can Do Today

While the fight for updated guidelines continues, Black men, especially those over 45, can and should take action now. You have the right to a free PSA blood test. Don’t wait for symptoms. Be proactive.

Here’s how to protect yourself and others:

• Check your risk in 30 seconds using Prostate Cancer UK’s online Risk Checker

• Talk to your GP, especially if you’re over 45 or have a family history

• Share this message with the men in your life—awareness saves lives

The Time for Change Is Now

This isn’t a call for miracles. It’s a demand for fairness, clarity, and action. A tweak in policy could save hundreds of lives every year.

Black men deserve better. The government must act.

Will you join the fight?

Visit Prostate Cancer UK for more information and to take the risk test.