Rishi Sunak held a Westminster event launching a report by Prostate Cancer Research.
The event, held on behalf of Prostate Cancer Research in the House of Commons, brought together parliamentarians, clinicians, researchers, and patients to discuss how early detection could save thousands of lives.
Mr Sunak invited his constituent, Peter Gannaway, to attend the event. Peter was diagnosed with prostate cancer in his mid-40s despite having no symptoms.
He only sought a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test after his brother in the USA was diagnosed through routine screening, a decision he believes may have saved his life.
Peter thanked Mr Sunak for championing the need for a national screening programme, expressing hope that more men would be encouraged to get tested before it is too late.
Mr Sunak said: “This powerful report makes a compelling case for a targeted screening programme for prostate cancer. We must act now. Delay will cost lives.”
As an ambassador for Prostate Cancer Research, the Richmond and Northallerton MP has been working closely with the charity to improve awareness, and to ensure screening becomes a national priority.
He has advocated for moving from reactive treatment to proactive detection and previously began work on this issue while serving as Prime Minister.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, yet late diagnosis continues to claim over 12,000 lives every year.
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