Former prime minister Rishi Sunak has announced that he is “honoured” to become an ambassador for Prostate Cancer Research, a charity dedicated to improving early detection and treatment of the disease. As part of his role, Mr Sunak will support the charity’s campaign to introduce a national screening programme for men at high risk of prostate cancer.
A step towards early detection
On Thursday, Mr Sunak visited the Oxford BioDynamics laboratories, where he met researchers working on the EpiSwitch PSE test, a new blood test that can detect prostate cancer with 94% accuracy. According to Prostate Cancer Research, this is a major improvement over the current PSA test, which has been used for years but is less precise.
Speaking about his involvement, the former Conservative leader said he was proud to support the charity’s mission to revolutionise diagnosis and treatment.
“Men tend to ignore pain, hoping it’ll go away rather than going to see the GP, and that’s part of the reason why prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK,” he said.
“We can do something about that. It is clear from a trial that I funded when I was in office that early detection saves lives. Catching the cancer early drastically improves survival rates, however, if it’s caught late, that survival rate drops by half. A targeted national screening programme will help save many lives.”
A national screening programme
The MP for Richmond and Northallerton has long been a supporter of increased cancer screenings. Just last month, he called on the Government in the House of Commons to consider expanding prostate cancer screenings for men in high-risk groups, such as those with a family history of the disease and Black men, who are at a significantly higher risk.
As an ambassador, he hopes to raise awareness and encourage more men to get tested early, preventing further unnecessary deaths.
“I hope my work with Prostate Cancer Research will encourage more men to talk about their experiences with prostate cancer and to get a screening test which could save their lives,” he added.
A groundbreaking test for the future
Experts believe that the EpiSwitch PSE test could play a crucial role in reducing unnecessary procedures, making diagnosis both quicker and more accurate.
According to Iain Ross, executive chairman of Oxford BioDynamics, the new test can significantly cut down the number of expensive and unnecessary MRI scans and invasive prostate biopsies.
“Nine out of ten men who receive a positive EpiSwitch PSE result will have their diagnosis confirmed,” he said. “This is a game-changer for prostate cancer detection and could improve survival rates through earlier, more accurate diagnoses.”
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Support from prostate cancer research
The charity’s chief executive, Oliver Kemp, welcomed Mr Sunak’s support and advocacy, saying that his role as an ambassador would be invaluable in the fight against prostate cancer.
“Rishi’s ongoing support for our mission to revolutionise prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment is vital,” he said. “His advocacy will help us drive forward innovative research, challenge health inequalities, and ensure that more lives are saved.”
He praised the EpiSwitch test as an example of groundbreaking innovation, saying it could transform early detection and improve outcomes for thousands of men.
“We are working towards a future where a prostate cancer diagnosis is no longer something to fear,” he added.
Prostate cancer: The UK’s most common cancer in men
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK, with over 52,000 cases detected each year. Around 12,000 men die from the disease annually.
However, when detected early, survival rates are extremely high, reinforcing the importance of screening programmes and accessible diagnostic tests.
The Government has yet to confirm whether a national screening programme will be introduced, but Mr Sunak and Prostate Cancer Research hope their campaign will push the issue forward and save thousands of lives.
